Postdoctoral Research Associate - Center for Effective Lawmaking, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

State of Virginia • Charlottesville, VA

46d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral research position. The position is offered for one year starting in July 2026. In addition to carrying out his or her own research, the appointee will collaborate with a Batten faculty member, Craig Volden, on research related to the Center for Effective Lawmaking, and will have the opportunity to teach one class in the Batten School. A particular research focus on lawmaking in American state legislatures and/or the U.S. Congress is welcome. The Center for Effective Lawmaking seeks to advance the generation, communication, and use of new knowledge about the effectiveness of individual lawmakers and U.S. legislative institutions. We envision American legislatures comprised of effective lawmakers, strong institutional capacity, and the incentive structure needed to address America's greatest public policy challenges. To learn more about the Center, please visit: https://thelawmakers.org/ . The position includes mentorship, access to resources and research infrastructure, opportunities to collaborate with faculty at a truly interdisciplinary school, and connections to the policy world and to a robust network of diverse scholars. This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits . This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and may be eligible for a hybrid schedule for a number of days each week. To learn more about UVA and the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA . This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs. This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future. Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment. For immediate consideration, please apply by November 15, 2025. The position will remain open until filled.

Requirements

• A PhD degree in Political Science or related disciplines is required by the start date of the position.
• Strong quantitative, communication, and project management skills are also required.

Responsibilities

• Carry out his or her own research
• Collaborate with a Batten faculty member, Craig Volden, on research related to the Center for Effective Lawmaking
• Teach one class in the Batten School

Benefits

• UVA offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits to its community of postdoctoral researchers and scholars.
• mentorship
• access to resources and research infrastructure
• opportunities to collaborate with faculty at a truly interdisciplinary school
• connections to the policy world and to a robust network of diverse scholars

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees