Johns Hopkins University has opened a major 2026 faculty recruitment initiative through its School of Government and Policy in Washington, DC, seeking accomplished scholars working across government, public policy, artificial intelligence, law, economics, and related disciplines.
The recruitment covers multiple academic fields, including political science, law, sociology, history, philosophy, computer science and economics.
However, applicants should note an important correction to the headline: the official Johns Hopkins University vacancy is titled “Associate and Full Professor.”
The announcement seeks multiple tenured faculty members, not Assistant Professors.
Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in an appropriate field or a J.D. by the time the appointment begins and demonstrate outstanding independent research alongside excellence in teaching, mentoring and public engagement.
The positions are based at the Johns Hopkins University School of Government and Policy in Washington, DC.
The expected salary range is $175,000 to $425,000, depending on discipline, academic rank and other relevant factors.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis and should be received by October 25, 2026 for full consideration.
Important Correction: These Are Associate and Full Professor Positions
Before applying, candidates should understand the academic rank being recruited.
The official vacancy title is:
Associate and Full Professor
Johns Hopkins University states that its School of Government and Policy is seeking to recruit multiple tenured faculty.
The official announcement does not describe this particular recruitment as an Assistant Professor search.
This distinction matters because tenured Associate and Full Professor appointments generally target established academics with substantial research, teaching, and public-engagement records.
Applicants should therefore use the official position title when preparing their application materials.
About the Johns Hopkins School of Government and Policy
The School of Government and Policy is anchored at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC.
Johns Hopkins describes the new school as a hub for:
Discovery.
Collaboration.
Impact.
Its work is designed to contribute to scholarly and practical efforts to improve government effectiveness and address complex public-policy challenges.
The school is being developed during a period characterized by significant political, social and technological change.
Research and education will examine institutional reforms, emerging technologies, government operations and new approaches to public-policy education.
Building a New Faculty Community
The School of Government and Policy plans significant growth during its founding years.
Johns Hopkins states that the school will grow to include approximately:
35 full-time faculty members.
Their expertise will span theoretical and applied approaches to government and public policy.
Additional faculty hires are also expected to be made jointly with other Johns Hopkins University units.
This means the broader faculty community could become even larger and more interdisciplinary.
Academic Fields
Johns Hopkins is searching broadly across multiple disciplines.
The official announcement specifically mentions:
Political Science
Law
Sociology
History
Philosophy
Computer Science
Economics
The university also welcomes relevant candidates from other academic areas depending on the research theme.
This interdisciplinary approach reflects the school’s focus on understanding government and policy problems through multiple academic perspectives.
Major Research Areas
Although the search is broad, Johns Hopkins identifies several areas of particular interest.
These include:
Cities and Communities
Frontier AI
Political Philosophy and Theory
Public-Sector Innovation and Management
Regulation, Bureaucracy, and Public Administration
Each area brings together scholars from multiple disciplines.
Cities and Communities
One research area focuses on state and local policymaking and implementation.
Johns Hopkins encourages applications from scholars in disciplines including:
Civil engineering.
Economics.
History.
Law.
Sociology.
Political science.
Public administration.
Urban planning.
Relevant research can examine how cities, communities and subnational governments operate and respond to policy challenges.
Local Governance and State Capacity
Within Cities and Communities, the university identifies several potential research interests.
These include:
Local governance
State capacity
Urban innovation
Candidates studying how local governments operate and how institutions can improve public services may therefore align with this research area.
Housing and Real Estate
Housing and real estate are also identified as areas of interest.
Researchers examining housing policy, land markets, affordability, local regulation or related public-policy questions may find their work relevant to the school’s priorities.
Education and School Choice
Research concerning:
Public education
and
School choice
also falls within the Cities and Communities area.
This creates opportunities for academics examining how education systems interact with local and state policymaking.
Transportation and Land Use
The university also identifies:
Transportation
and
Land use
as potential research interests.
Researchers examining urban mobility, infrastructure, planning and the relationship between land-use policy and government decision-making may fit this area.
Local Finance and Budgeting
Local government finance is another research topic highlighted in the announcement.
This includes:
Local finance
and
Budgeting.
Candidates studying fiscal capacity, public budgeting and financial decision-making within local institutions may therefore be relevant to the search.
Frontier AI
One of the most notable recruitment areas is Frontier AI.
This research theme examines the implications of highly advanced artificial intelligence for:
Government
and
Society.
Johns Hopkins welcomes candidates from a wide variety of academic disciplines.
These include computer science, economics, philosophy, law, political science, cognitive science and sociology.
AI Alignment and Governance
Potential Frontier AI research areas include:
AI alignment
and
AI governance.
Researchers working on the institutional, technical, ethical or regulatory questions surrounding advanced artificial intelligence may therefore find this recruitment particularly relevant.
Government and Societal Impacts of AI
Johns Hopkins is also interested in research concerning how AI affects government and wider society.
This can include the implications of artificial intelligence for:
Government institutions.
Social systems.
Public policy.
Institutional adaptation.
The research theme recognizes that increasingly capable AI systems may affect how governments operate and make decisions.
AI and Labor Markets
The university specifically mentions the:
Labor-market impacts of AI
and adaptation to those changes.
Economists and researchers from other disciplines examining automation, employment, workforce transitions or policy responses to artificial intelligence may therefore align with this research priority.
AI for Policy Design
Another research interest involves using AI to:
Simulate and design policy interventions.
This creates potential connections between artificial intelligence, computational research and public-policy design.
Scholars using advanced computational methods to understand or test policy interventions may therefore be particularly relevant.
AI Regulation
Research involving:
Regulatory theory and innovation
is also included.
This can encompass questions about how governments should develop institutions and regulatory approaches capable of responding to rapidly changing technologies.
AI Evaluation, Auditing and Verification
Johns Hopkins also specifically highlights:
AI evaluation
AI auditing
and
AI verification.
Researchers working on mechanisms for assessing AI systems, their impacts and their compliance with policy or institutional requirements may therefore fit within the school’s Frontier AI agenda.
Political Philosophy and Theory
Another priority is Political Philosophy and Theory.
Johns Hopkins is interested in ambitious, foundational and big-picture work with direct relevance to government and public policy.
The school seeks scholars whose research contributes to its stated mission concerning the core institutions of liberal democracy.
The announcement encourages candidates who are problem-focused and willing to draw from different:
Conceptual approaches.
Methodological approaches.
Empirical approaches.
The university is particularly interested in political philosophy and theory that connects with the wider world and complements the school’s other research strengths.
Public-Sector Innovation and Management
The Public-Sector Innovation and Management research area examines:
How governments function.
Why public-sector organizations succeed or fail.
How they can change to address public problems more effectively.
Candidates from numerous disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Relevant Disciplines for Public-Sector Innovation
Potential academic backgrounds include:
Social sciences.
Management.
History.
Organizational behavior.
Psychology.
Urban planning.
Operations research.
Industrial and systems engineering.
Management science.
Public management.
Public policy.
This interdisciplinary scope means researchers do not necessarily need to come from a conventional political-science department.
Institutional Reform
Potential research interests include:
Institutional reform
and
Organizational change.
This area may be relevant to researchers studying how public institutions evolve and how reforms affect government performance.
Public Innovation and Problem Solving
The university is also interested in:
Public innovation
and
Problem solving.
Research could examine how governments develop new approaches to complex challenges or improve existing public-sector systems.
Government Budgeting and Procurement
Research areas also include:
Public-sector management.
Budgeting.
Procurement.
Contracting.
Operations.
These topics connect institutional management with practical questions about how governments deliver programmes and services.
State Capacity and Bureaucratic Performance
Another area of interest is:
State capacity
and
Bureaucratic performance.
Researchers studying why some government institutions perform more effectively than others may therefore find their work relevant to the recruitment.
Technology Adoption in Government
The School of Government and Policy is particularly interested in the adoption and management of technology within government.
This includes research on:
Organizational challenges surrounding technology implementation.
How technologies affect public-sector organizations.
Technology and policy.
Technology and governance.
This research area overlaps significantly with the school’s broader interest in artificial intelligence.
Regulation, Bureaucracy, and Public Administration
The fifth major area identified is:
Regulation, Bureaucracy, and Public Administration.
The research theme examines why governments may fail to deliver what policies promise and what institutional redesigns could improve implementation.
Johns Hopkins welcomes applicants from political science, law, public administration, history, sociology and other relevant disciplines.
Civil Service and Personnel Systems
Potential research interests include the:
Politics of civil service
and
Personnel systems.
Researchers studying government employment, administrative capacity and public-sector workforce institutions may align with this theme.
Federalism
The university also identifies:
Federalism
and
Implementation of large public programmes
as relevant research areas.
Candidates studying relationships among different levels of government may therefore be relevant to the search.
Intergovernmental Relations
Intergovernmental relations are another potential research focus.
This can include examining how federal, state and local institutions interact when implementing public policy.
Regulation and Enforcement
The announcement identifies:
Regulation
Enforcement
and
Capture
as areas of potential interest.
Researchers studying regulatory institutions and how governments oversee economic or social activity may therefore align with this recruitment.
Administrative Procedure and Policy Analysis
Research concerning:
Administrative procedure
and
Policy analysis
is also welcomed.
These topics connect law, political science, public administration and public policy.
Interdisciplinary Research
Across all the searches, Johns Hopkins is seeking scholars capable of working and learning across academic disciplines.
This is a central feature of the recruitment.
The university is not simply creating separate disciplinary silos.
Instead, the School of Government and Policy aims to bring together scholars who approach public problems through different theoretical and methodological perspectives.
Government Effectiveness
Candidates should take seriously the school’s focus on:
Improving government effectiveness.
This theme appears across the research priorities.
The school is interested not only in describing government institutions but also in rigorous scholarship that can contribute to understanding how those institutions can function more effectively.
Public-Sector Experience
Johns Hopkins welcomes scholars who have worked:
Within public-sector and policymaking institutions
and
Alongside government reformers from across the political spectrum.
This experience is welcomed but is not stated as a mandatory qualification for every candidate.
AI and Government
The school is also interested in scholars who want to investigate both the challenges and opportunities associated with:
Governing artificial intelligence
and
Deploying artificial intelligence.
This creates opportunities for researchers whose work connects advanced technology with public institutions.
Intellectual Pluralism
The School of Government and Policy states that it is building a community of scholars, experts and leaders from diverse disciplines who embrace:
Intellectual pluralism.
The school describes this as more than simply representing different perspectives.
It wants scholars to put those differences to productive use through rigorous inquiry.
The university welcomes applications from researchers who challenge conventional thinking.
Education at the School
Alongside research, the new school will emphasize education and preparation of future public-sector and policy leaders.
The university plans to incorporate:
Science.
Data.
Technology.
Strategic thinking.
Creative approaches to government and policy innovation.
Cross-functional skills.
These elements will form part of the school’s educational approach.
Qualifications
Candidates must hold either:
A Ph.D. in an appropriate field
or
A J.D.
The qualification must be held by the time the appointment begins.
This is a mandatory requirement.
Research Record
Candidates must demonstrate an ability to conduct:
Outstanding independent research.
Given that the recruitment is for Associate and Full Professors, applicants should pay close attention to the level of scholarly achievement expected for a tenured faculty appointment.
Teaching Excellence
Applicants should also have a strong record of excellence in:
Teaching.
The school emphasizes both world-class research and exceptional education.
Candidates should therefore ensure their application materials appropriately demonstrate their teaching experience and contributions.
Mentoring
A strong record in:
Mentoring
is also required.
This may be particularly relevant for established academics who have supervised students, junior scholars or researchers.
Public Engagement
Candidates must additionally demonstrate excellence in:
Public engagement.
This requirement aligns with the School of Government and Policy’s goal of connecting scholarship with practical government and policy challenges.
Salary Range
The expected salary range for the positions is:
$175,000 to $425,000.
The final salary depends on:
Discipline.
Academic rank.
Geographic location.
Skills.
Work experience.
Internal equity.
Market conditions.
Education and training.
Other relevant factors.
Johns Hopkins explicitly notes that not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range.
Employee Benefits
Johns Hopkins states that employees receive a total rewards package supporting:
Health
Life
Career
Retirement
Candidates should consult the university’s benefits information for the exact package associated with their appointment.
Location
The positions are based in:
Washington, DC 20001.
The School of Government and Policy is anchored at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington.
The official vacancy does not describe these faculty appointments as fully remote positions.
Application Materials
Interested applicants should submit:
A cover letter
and
Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Applications must be submitted through Interfolio.
The university uses Interfolio’s Faculty Search system for this recruitment.
Applicants receive a free Dossier account through the process and can submit application materials, including confidential recommendation letters, without charge.
Application Deadline
Applications are considered on a:
Rolling basis.
However, Johns Hopkins states that applications should be received by:
October 25, 2026
for full consideration.
This wording is important.
October 25 is presented as the date by which candidates should apply for full consideration rather than simply as an absolute final deadline after which the system necessarily closes.
Candidates interested in the recruitment should therefore consider applying as early as their materials are ready.
Equal Opportunity
Johns Hopkins University states that it is committed to equal opportunity for faculty, staff and students.
The university says employment and academic opportunities are provided on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance and merit without regard to legally protected personal characteristics.
Background Check
Successful candidates receiving conditional offers will be subject to a:
Pre-employment background check
including:
Education verification.
Candidates should therefore ensure that all academic qualifications and professional information submitted during recruitment are accurate.
Important Details at a Glance
University: Johns Hopkins University
School: School of Government and Policy
Official Position: Associate and Full Professor
Number of Positions: Multiple faculty appointments
Academic Status: Tenured faculty
Location: Washington, DC
Open Date: September 15, 2026
Salary Range: $175,000–$425,000
Minimum Academic Qualification: Ph.D. in an appropriate field or J.D. by appointment start
Research: Outstanding independent research required
Teaching: Strong record of excellence required
Mentoring: Strong record required
Public Engagement: Strong record required
Application Materials: Cover letter and CV
Application Platform: Interfolio
Review: Rolling basis
Full Consideration Date: October 25, 2026
Who Should Consider Applying?
This recruitment is primarily relevant to established scholars whose academic records align with tenured Associate or Full Professor appointments.
Potential applicants may come from fields including:
Political science.
Law.
Economics.
Computer science.
Sociology.
History.
Philosophy.
Public administration.
Public policy.
Management.
Urban planning.
Engineering.
Cognitive science.
Organizational behavior.
Other disciplines connected with the school’s research priorities.
Candidates should assess not simply whether their discipline appears on the list, but whether their research, teaching, mentoring, and public-engagement records meet the expectations of the academic rank.
Is This an Assistant Professor Recruitment?
The official vacancy supplied does not advertise Assistant Professor positions.
Its title is:
Associate and Full Professor.
The description explicitly says the School of Government and Policy seeks to recruit multiple tenured faculty.
For accuracy, candidates and publishers should therefore avoid presenting this specific announcement as an Assistant Professor recruitment unless Johns Hopkins separately publishes an Assistant Professor vacancy.
Is Prior AI Research Required?
No.
Frontier AI is one of several areas of particular research interest.
The university is also recruiting scholars working on:
Cities and Communities.
Political Philosophy and Theory.
Public-Sector Innovation and Management.
Regulation, Bureaucracy, and Public Administration.
Therefore, AI expertise should not be interpreted as a universal requirement for every position.
Is a Political Science Degree Required?
No.
Political science is one of many relevant disciplines.
The recruitment explicitly spans law, sociology, history, philosophy, computer science, economics and other fields depending on the research area.
Candidates must, however, hold an appropriate Ph.D. or J.D. by the time the appointment begins.
Is the Maximum Salary Guaranteed?
No.
The maximum advertised figure of $425,000 should not be presented as the salary every successful candidate will receive.
Johns Hopkins explicitly states that not all candidates will qualify for the upper end of the range.
Actual compensation will depend on multiple factors.
Final Considerations
The Johns Hopkins University Faculty Recruitment 2026: Assistant Professor Jobs in Political Science, Law, AI, Economics & More in Washington, DC announcement represents a significant multidisciplinary academic recruitment initiative at the university’s developing School of Government and Policy.
However, applicants should note the important correction that this particular vacancy is officially for Associate and Full Professors, not Assistant Professors.
Johns Hopkins is seeking multiple tenured faculty members from disciplines including political science, law, sociology, history, philosophy, computer science, and economics.
Priority research themes include Cities and Communities, Frontier AI, Political Philosophy and Theory, Public-Sector Innovation and Management, and Regulation, Bureaucracy, and Public Administration.
The positions offer an expected salary range of $175,000 to $425,000, although actual compensation depends on rank, discipline, experience and other factors.
Candidates need a Ph.D. in an appropriate field or J.D. by the time their appointment begins, along with demonstrated excellence in independent research, teaching, mentoring, and public engagement.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and should be received by October 25, 2026 for full consideration.
Candidates should submit a cover letter and CV through the university’s Interfolio recruitment process.
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