The Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University invites applications for the inaugural Husein and LeAnna Cumber Family Professorship. This search is for an outstanding senior scholar in the field of national and/or international security whose work engages major scholarly debates as well as contemporary policy issues.

We intend to appoint a senior scholar at the level of tenured full professor.  The successful candidate will hold a doctorate in a relevant field, such as political science, history, public policy, or law.

The Cumber Family Professor will teach courses in their field of expertise and contribute to the Sanford School’s core teaching in its undergraduate and graduate programs in public policy and public affairs.  Candidates who can contribute to the Sanford School's Master of National Security Policy (MNSP), a hybrid mid-career degree program, are particularly encouraged to apply. More information on the MNSP can be found at https://sanford.duke.edu/academics/masters-programs/master-national-security-policy/

The Sanford School includes a full-time faculty of almost 70 and offers an undergraduate major, three masters programs, and a Ph.D. program. Current faculty members have degrees in a variety of disciplines including: demography, economics, history, law, medicine, philosophy, political science, psychology/social psychology, public policy, public health/health policy, and sociology. The faculty also includes Professors of the Practice drawn from the policy and related practitioner worlds. The School houses several interdisciplinary research centers and offers degree-related programs and opportunities in Washington, China, Scotland, India, London and Geneva. More information on the Sanford School can be found at https://sanford.duke.edu.

Candidates should submit a letter of application that addresses their teaching experience, research record and current agenda, and relevant policy experience. Letters should also make clear why they would be interested in joining the Sanford School of Public Policy. The letter, along with a CV and the names of three references (letters from whom will be solicited at the campus-visit stage), should be submitted to Jennifer Siegel, Chair of the Cumber Family Professorship committee, via the following website:

https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/32105

Applications received by 24 August 2026 will be assured full consideration.

About Duke University - Sanford School of Public Policy

The Sanford School of Public Policy is among the nation’s leading public policy schools, and offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral-level degrees in public policy and international development policy. We also offer executive master's degrees in national security policy and public affairs.

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