Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Position description

Utah Valley University is seeking applicants for a Civics Research Fellow. 

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow is a full-time, one-year position, with the possibility of renewal for one additional year following excellent performance. Preferred start date of August 1, 2025. The Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative (CTLI) is funded by the Utah legislature and located in UVU’s Center for Constitutional Studies. The purpose of CTLI is to develop the next generation of citizens and civic leaders by cultivating the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and virtues necessary for a just, free, and flourishing constitutional republic. We do this through mentoring UVU students, supporting K-12 teachers, conducting research, and fostering civil public discourse. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will further these efforts by teaching one undergraduate course per semester (likely POLS 1000: American Heritage), mentoring UVU students, designing and executing conferences and other public events, conducting team-based research on civic education, and furthering their own rigorous research agenda, preferably on topics such as civic virtue, virtue ethics, civil dialogue, American constitutional history, American political thought, federalism, or state constitutions. 

Summary of Responsibilities

• Furthering a rigorous personal research agenda. 
• Teaching undergraduate courses in American history, government, or other topics. 
• Conducting and coordinating team research activities among participating entities and the preparation of findings for presentation and publication.
• Designing and executing conferences and other public events, other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications 

Ph.D. degree in hand from an accredited institution in history, political science, government, philosophy, or related field; exceptional and advanced ABD candidates will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications 

• A research agenda that includes civic virtue, virtue ethics, civil dialogue, American constitutional history, American political thought, federalism, or state constitutions.
• Strong course evaluations teaching undergraduate or graduate courses.
• Experience designing and implementing conferences, public events, or other institutional programming.

Documents Needed To Apply

• Curriculum Vitae
• Writing Sample 

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Knowledge of American political thought, constitutional history and law, political philosophy, or related field.
• Exceptional undergraduate teaching skills.
• Solid public speaking and presentation skills to a non-academic audience.
• Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills.
• Ability to engage individually and collaboratively with varied participants and stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, teachers, and government officials.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously to meet assigned deadlines.

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on globalvacancies.org