Job Description

Salary/Position Classification

• $175,000 Annual, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite at UND Grand Forks, ND campus

Purpose of Position

The University of North Dakota School of Law seeks an experienced administrator to serve as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and to join our faculty at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor (with tenure), as appropriate.

The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will play a key leadership role in the continued growth and success of the School of Law. Working closely with the Dean, the Associate Dean will provide leadership for the School’s academic programs and day-to-day academic and administrative operations, and will serve as an integral member of the School’s leadership team. The position will be principally administrative (60%), with reduced expectations for teaching (20%, anticipated to be one course each semester) and research (20%). As the Associate Dean is the only mid-level administrative position in the School, with broad and significant leadership responsibilities, candidates must currently hold, or have previously held, administrative roles in a U.S. law school—as associate deans, assistant deans, vice deans, and/or program directors, including in an acting or interim capacity.

We will consider candidates who teach and research in any field. Candidates who can fill current curricular needs (which include, but are not limited to, criminal law, lawyering skills, oil & gas, property, torts, and wills & trusts), and/or who can enhance offerings in our certificate programs (Aviation Law; Energy, Environmental, and Natural Resources Law; and Indian & Tribal Law) are particularly encouraged to apply.

The School of Law seeks colleagues dedicated to fostering well-rounded and public-minded legal professionals with the necessary skills to serve as effective, self-reflective, and ethical leaders in their communities. Our distinctive character as one of the Nation’s smaller public law schools—and the State’s sole law school—informs our thoughtful and collaborative approach to teaching and learning. We have a close relationship with the State’s bench and bar and a special interest in connecting with and serving our rural, urban, and reservation populations.

The University of North Dakota is committed to creating a welcoming atmosphere, and the School of Law strives to maintain a friendly and supportive learning environment, helping our students develop into conscientious legal professionals. We particularly value teachers who demonstrate intentionality and creativity, and who are interested in infusing their doctrinal teaching with writing, research, cooperative learning, interpersonal skills, and/or other pedagogies. We also seek scholars with innovative research agendas and encourage work that transcends disciplinary boundaries, including the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Required Competencies

• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty and staff colleagues
• Eagerness to work closely with law students
• Ability to teach in the curricular areas of interest
• Ability to work and collaborate in a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive setting

Minimum Requirements

• J.D. degree from a law school in the United States, OR an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. school coupled with at least five (5) years’ U.S. legal practice
• Tenured Associate or Full Professor at a law school in the United States
• One year experience in an Administrative role in a U.S. law school—as associate deans, assistant deans, vice deans, and/or program directors, including in an acting or interim capacity
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience in an Administrative role in a U.S. law school—as associate deans, assistant deans, vice deans, and/or program directors, including in an acting or interim capacity; and
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching at a U.S. law school
• Demonstrated excellence in research at a U.S. law school
• Demonstrated excellence in service at a U.S. law school
• Teaching experience and/or interest fills one or more UND School of Law curricular needs

To Apply

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by October 20, 2026, and must include:

• Cover letter
• Current C.V.
• Law school transcripts (official or unofficial)

For additional information, contact Professor James Grijalva at james.grijalva@und.edu