The University of Virginia's Karsh Institute of Democracy seeks a Research Associate for a one-year appointment, with the possibility of renewal for a second year, to support a collaborative research project examining the history and development of state constitutions. The Research Associate will conduct historical and constitutional research, coordinate research activities, and oversee student researchers contributing to the 50 Constitutions project. This position is in the Karsh Institute of Democracy, with an affiliation with the Karsh Center for Law and Democracy at UVA's School of Law.
Project and Position Description
The 50 Constitutions project is led by the State Democracy Research Initiative (SDRI) at the University of Wisconsin Law School. It aims to capture the full history of each state constitution and facilitate engagement with state constitutions, with the aim of creating resources on state constitutions for scholars, practitioners, and the broader public. The project has a public-facing website that allows users to see how a state constitution has developed over time. Users can access a timeline of important dates in their state’s constitutional history, access and read all amendments to the constitution, see the state constitution as it existed on any date since its adoption, and run a tracked changes tool to see how provisions have changed.
50 Constitutions will be a tool for legal research, for community engagement, and nonpartisan civic education. By allowing researchers and the public to access the complete and full history of a state constitution, to review amendments, and to compare the language of provisions over time, the project will catalyze broader and deeper understanding of each state’s constitution and of state constitutions collectively. In turn, it will enhance the ability of courts, journalists, scholars, legal advocates, and members of the public to engage in informed analysis of the state constitutions that shape many consequential issues today. This work has currently been completed for several states with more to come as the project continues.
The Research Associate based at UVA’s Karsh Institute will be responsible for historical and constitutional research on up to five state constitutions in two years. Along with conducting research, the associate will oversee work of law students and undergraduate student researchers on the project. Specifically, the Research Associate will train student researchers, oversee information collection and the data entry process for the 50 Constitutions website, help draft constitutional timelines, manage accuracy and quality control in all areas, and coordinate with state constitutional experts. The Research Associate is expected to meet deadlines set by the project leadership and will coordinate closely with the project team at SDRI at the University of Wisconsin to coordinate research activities.
Salary Range
The annual salary for this position is $70,000 per year.
Anticipated Start Date
The ideal start date for the position would be July 1, 2027.
Minimum Requirements
Qualified candidates must have their J.D. or Ph.D. completed by the beginning of the fellowship. The disciplinary backgrounds for the role could include history, journalism, law, political science, library and information science, or related fields that enable an understanding of the history of constitutions, would support historical data collection on constitutions and amendments through time, textual analysis and data entry, and in partnership with the Karsh Institute, management of student researchers.
Application Timeline
Candidates must submit their application materials by January 4, 2027.
Position Type & Work Location
This position is a one-year appointment with the possibility of renewal for a second year, contingent on performance and continued funding. The role is a hybrid position, but the candidate will be expected to relocate to the Charlottesville area.
Physical Demands
This position is primarily office-based but requires occasional travel to on-site locations, which may involve walking, climbing stairs, or navigating uneven terrain. The role may occasionally require lifting materials up to 20 pounds and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
How to Apply
Please apply through online, and search for R0088774.
Candidates must submit their application materials by January 4, 2027, and include the following materials:
- A cover letter outlining their interest in and relevant experience connected to the fellowship’s responsibilities
- A CV
- A writing sample representing work that would be relevant for this position
- Names and contact information for three references who could be contacted for letters of reference
Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.
Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.
Reference Check Process
Reference checks will be completed by the search committee during the final phase of the interview. Three references will be requested.
Contact
For additional information about the position, please contact Dr. Jessica Kimpell Johnson jk4sa@virginia.edu.
For questions about the application process, please contact Ashley Cochran, alc6dk@virginia.edu.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
