Research Associate

About the Role

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. 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.

The 50 Constitutions project, led by the State Democracy Research Initiative (SDRI) at the University of Wisconsin Law School, aims to capture the full history of each state constitution and facilitate engagement with them, creating resources for scholars, practitioners, and the public. The project features a public-facing website with timelines, amendment access, and a tracked changes tool for constitutional provisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct historical and constitutional research on up to five state constitutions over two years.
• Train and oversee student researchers (law students and undergraduate students).
• Oversee information collection and data entry for the 50 Constitutions website.
• Help draft constitutional timelines.
• Manage accuracy and quality control in all areas.
• Coordinate with state constitutional experts.
• Meet deadlines set by project leadership.
• Coordinate research activities with the project team at SDRI at the University of Wisconsin.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• J.D. or Ph.D. completed by the beginning of the fellowship.
• Disciplinary backgrounds may include history, law, political science, library and information science, or related fields.
• Ability to understand the history of constitutions.
• Skills supporting historical data collection, textual analysis, and data entry.
• Ability to manage student researchers.

Qualifications

• Experience with historical and constitutional research.
• Experience coordinating research activities.
• Experience overseeing student researchers.
• The role is a hybrid position, requiring relocation to the Charlottesville area.
• Requires occasional travel to on-site locations, potentially involving walking, climbing stairs, or navigating uneven terrain.
• May occasionally require lifting materials up to 20 pounds and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Application Information

• Application deadline: January 4, 2027.
• Anticipated start date: July 1, 2027.
• Salary: $70,000 per year.
• Submit application materials online via search for R0088774.
• Required materials:
• A cover letter outlining interest and relevant experience.
• A CV.
• A relevant writing sample.
• Names and contact information for three references.
• All materials can be uploaded into the resume submission field or merged into one PDF.

Contact

• For additional information: Dr. Jessica Kimpell Johnson, [email protected].
• For application process questions: Ashley Cochran, [email protected].