INTRODUCTION

The University of Connecticut School of Law invites applications for the Stuart F. Smith Teaching Fellowship Program beginning in Fall 2026. This 2-year, visiting teaching fellowship program is designed to prepare fellows for entering law school teaching. Fellows will have the opportunity to engage in focused research to support their scholarship and develop their teaching skills through course offerings aligned with their research interests. Faculty mentorship and professional development programming will help prepare fellows for the legal teaching market and a future academic career.

A successful candidate will demonstrate potential for excellence in legal scholarship and teaching along with a demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging. A potential for excellence in legal scholarship can be demonstrated by published writing, well-developed writing projects, or other showings of scholarly understanding and engagement. We are especially interested in receiving applications from candidates who will add to the diversity of our faculty and community. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups and other candidates with experiences, backgrounds, and viewpoints that will enrich our community and further our mission.

UConn Law School is the top-ranked public law school in the Northeast, offering a professional education and scholarly environment of the highest quality. The Law School is committed to building and supporting a vibrant, multicultural, and diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Its beautiful Gothic Revival campus is located in the West End of Hartford, a few miles from the state capital and courts, as well as the headquarters of leading insurance companies and other major corporations. The Law School has both day and evening divisions and offers the JD (Juris Doctor) degree, LLM (Master of Laws) degrees, and the SJD (Doctor of Laws) degree, as well as several dual degree programs. The UConn Law faculty includes leading scholars, experienced practitioners, and internationally known experts in a wide range of fields. The Law School hosts four student journals, over forty student organizations, extensive clinical and public service for the surrounding communities, and one of the largest law libraries in the world.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. JD degree or equivalent terminal degree in a related field.
2. Demonstrated potential for legal teaching excellence.
3. Demonstrated potential for scholarly excellence.
4. A clear commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, legal academy, and/or profession.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

1. Potential to teach courses that will enhance curricular priorities.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

The position is a non-tenure track, 2-year, end-dated appointment subject to annual review and renewal. The annual salary is $70,000. Candidates should expect to work at the Law School located in Hartford, Connecticut. Benefits include health insurance and research support.

The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/health-benefits/.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. 

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499433 and submit the following application materials:

• A letter of interest
• Curriculum vitae
• Research proposal describing your general research interests and 1-2 specific scholarly projects you plan to pursue during your fellowship
• A writing sample
• Names and contact information for three (3) references

Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately and remain ongoing until the position is filled. Any questions about the position or application materials may be directed to Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Intellectual Life Anne Dailey at anne.dailey@uconn.edu.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at https://portal.ct.gov/Ethics/Statutes-and-Regulations.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.