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ASSISTANT / ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Department of Defense
National Defense University
College of International Security Affairs (CISA) (Joint Special Operations MA Degree Program)

Summary

National Defense University (NDU) supports the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world.

This is a Title 10 Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment is not to exceed 3 years with the possibility for extension.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 06/26/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 26, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$95,293 - $112,249 per year
Pay scale & grade
AD 2 - 3
Promotion potential
3
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Term - 3 Years
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
NDU-26-12977266-EB
Control number
872679500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens.

Duties

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Serves as a member of the CISA faculty based at Fort Bragg, NC, supporting the mission of NDU through teaching, research, engagement, and service. The primary functions are described below:

  • Prepares and conducts graduate level seminar instruction in the interdisciplinary Master's Degree program, focused on security studies at the strategic level and irregular warfare. Applies teaching methods that stimulate student engagement through faculty-facilitated seminar discussion and experiential learning.
  • Participates in the development and implementation of the University's academic programs, as well as research, and creation of scholarly knowledge.
  • Provide students with advising, mentoring, and assessment of their academic performance, including a research portfolio.
  • Participates in engagement and outreach activities in furtherance of the NDU mission at Fort Bragg, NC.
  • Provides service to the College and University community through rotating roles, to include serving and/or leading College or University-wide committees related to such areas as strategic planning, accreditation, admissions, as well as advising leaders, faculty and staff colleagues in appropriate areas; and participating in College/University service activities.
  • Promotes a climate across a small team that fosters respect among students, faculty, staff, and administration.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or be exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.ssa.gov/)
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
  • The position is governed by 10 USC 1595 and NDUI 1416.0l dated March 2017.
  • Must be able and willing to travel both domestically and internationally. Travel is seldom required. Less than 20 % of the time.
  • The incumbent must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must:

  • An earned Master's degree or equivalent terminal degree (Doctorate preferred) from a regionally-accredited university in a discipline related to security studies.
  • A minimum of two years full-time teaching experience at a regionally-accredited college or university, ideally with experience with adult learners and/or Professional Military Education.
  • A record of excellence in teaching and research in a discipline related to security studies.
  • Professional knowledge of pedagogy, and experience in developing instructional materials, with emphasis on graduate-level teaching methods and adult learning. A record of excellence in scholarship in a field related to security studies.
  • Knowledge of one or more of the following functional/geographic areas: national security strategy, policy, and decision making, International Relations, irregular warfare, special operations, the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, or Western Hemisphere, Joint Warfighting, emerging technology, including cyber and/or Homeland Security.
  • Proven understanding of the professional lexicon and related communications skills.
  • Aptitude in collaboration across institutional boundaries and the ability to develop relationships and coordinate with teammates across different geographic locations.
  • Demonstrated strong work ethic with a focus on teamwork.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Degree in political science, international relations, history, or another discipline related to security studies.
  • Experience teaching in Joint Professional Military Education or equivalent environments.
  • Experience counseling/mentoring students to include advising on graduate level research and writing.
  • Experience teaching critical approaches to the use of Artificial Intelligence.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education Requirement:

  • Assistant Professor: Requires an earned Master's degree, Doctoral degree or equivalent terminal degree preferred, in a field related to security studies. Teaching experience in an academic environment, knowledge of best practices, and commitment to lifelong learning, preferably with at least two years, or the instructional equivalent, of full-time teaching experience at a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Associate Professor: Requires an earned Doctoral degree or equivalent terminal degree in a field related to security studies. Requires 5 years of teaching experience, with at least 2 years at the graduate level, record of excellence in scholarship recognized among peers, and external recognition. Record of advancement of institutional partnerships, relationships that leverage cross-component mission success, and networks of influence that contribute to national security.
  • Professor: Requires an earned Doctoral degree or equivalent terminal degree in a field related to security studies. Documented experience in full-time graduate-level teaching at a regionally accredited university or college for at least 8 years of which at least three years must be at the graduate level, sustained record of excellence in scholarship recognized among peers and external recognition, and a sustained record of advancement of institutional partnerships, relationships that leverage cross-component mission success, and networks of influence that contribute to national security.
Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if the position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified PRIOR to appointment, if selected for the role.
* An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence PRIOR to appointment.
    • Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
    • For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

Background or Security Investigation: This is a Non-Critical Sensitive position which requires a background investigation. The individual selected for this position is required to obtain and maintain a Secret security determination to occupy a Non-Critical Sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Preference for clearance already in hand.

Accepting this position, you may be required to serve an 18 month probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

Reemployed Annuitants: Department of Defense has the authority to hire annuitants without reduction in pay. For more information, go to: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/1400.25-V300.pdf

All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-4434 for assistance.

National Defense University (NDU) is the premier national security institution focused on advanced joint education, leader development and scholarship. Under the direction and leadership of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the oversight of the Director for Joint Force Development, Joint Staff (J-7), NDU offers a collegial and collaborative academic environment to support the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) and other graduate level programs to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world.

NDU is comprised of six primary educational institutions and four additional component agencies: National Intelligence College (NIC), National War College (NWC), Dwight Eisenhower School (ES), Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC), College of International Security Affairs (CISA) (with programs at Fort McNair, Washington, DD, and Fort Bragg, NC), the College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC), Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), International Study, Mission, & Outreach (ISMO), Operations Support and the CAPSTONE General and Flag Officer Course.

NDU has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security, and thrift savings plan (TSP); health, life, and long-term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. NDU employees enjoy flexible work schedules, transit subsidy and situational telework opportunities.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A screening panel will review your resume and narrative answers to the assessment questions to evaluate your qualifications for the position. NDU uses a multi-tier selection process for academic positions.

The following questions will be reviewed by the NDU screening panel https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12977266.

The Assessment Questionnaire collects information on your education, training and experience related to the following critical competencies:


Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil

National Defense University

Agency contact information

HR Customer Care Center
Phone
(317) 212-0454
Email
dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.dfasmeritcc@mail.mil
Address
National Defense University
300 5th Avenue Bldg 62
Washington, DC 20319
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at National Defense University, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.ndu.edu/

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