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The Department of Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is pleased to announce its current job candidates.
Graduates of this department reflect UNL’s unique integration of learning, teaching, and research. The department requires a wide breadth of coursework across three subfields of political science, giving our students a broad knowledge base. Students are required to teach at least one course—most of our students teach multiple courses. Our students also frequently publish with faculty members, and many have published solo pieces by the time they are on the job market.
Thank you for your interest in our graduate program.
Dr. Ingrid Haas, Graduate Chair
Noah Schimenti
Research and Teaching Interests: International Relations, Comparative Politics, Authoritarian Regimes, Conflict Resolution, Violent Non-State Actors, Corruption
Dissertation Title: Corrupt, Control, Repress: The Authoritarian Playbook
Dissertation Chair: Dr. Alice Kang
About me:
I am a sixth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with an expected graduation date of May 2026. I have a strong record of teaching success with a diverse range of subject matter, delivery methods, and class size. In an online format, I have served as Instructor of Record for Political Science 100: Power & Politics in America & Political Science 108: Political Ideas. In-person I have been the Instructor of Record for National Security Studies 175: Introduction to National Security. These experiences show I am willing and eager to engage as a mentor, advisor, and instructor.
Broadly speaking, I’m interested in understanding political behavior in contexts where democratic accountability is weak. In my research I explore competition for power, resources, and control within authoritarian, and conflict-ridden states. My research is comprised of three strains of political behavior: Corruption, Control, and Conflict Resolution. I employ a wide range of quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate my theories.
Corruption In “Cabinet Turnover in Authoritarian Regimes: Assisting or Hindering Corruption?” I address cabinet composition in authoritarian regimes, exploring the role of tenure in the development of corruption networks.
Control: In my study “Civil Society and Opposition Seat Share in Electoral Authoritarian Regimes” I examine the interaction between anti-system CSOs and opposition parties, identifying mechanisms through which these CSOs affect opposition party success.
Conflict Resolution: My study “Power Sharing, Cabinet Composition, and Corruption” explores how rebel inclusion in power sharing arrangements facilitates corruption and prevents the emergence of good governance following civil wars. Further, I have coauthored the study “Power, Signaling, and Credibility: Terrorist Group Alliances and the Bargaining Range for Peace” currently revise and resubmit status, arguing that terrorist groups engaging in alliance behavior with other violent non-state actors leads to a higher likelihood of signing a peace settlement with the state.