Constitutional Research Scholar & Undergraduate Mentorship

Overview

The Visiting Assistant Professor - Constitutional Research (VAPCR) is a full‑time, two‑year position at the Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative (CTLI), which is funded by the Utah legislature and located in UVU’s Center for Constitutional Studies. CTLI’s purpose 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.

The VAPCR will contribute to these efforts by teaching one undergraduate course per semester (likely POLS 1000: American Heritage), developing and implementing research opportunities for UVU student researchers, conducting state constitutional research, and producing original state constitutional scholarship using the Quill Project platform.

Preferred start date:
August 1, 2026.

• Teach undergraduate courses in American history, government, or other civic or constitutional topics.
• Develop, implement, and supervise research opportunities for UVU student researchers.
• Conduct state constitutional research activities using the Quill Project platform.
• Produce original state constitutional scholarship using the Quill Project platform and prepare findings for presentation and publication.

• Earn an M.A./M.S. degree from an accredited institution in government, history, or literature.
• Have extensive experience with the Quill Project platform.

• Completion, or active pursuit, of a Ph.D. degree in American government, American history, or a related field.
• Graduate research in constitutional history.
• 5+ years of experience as a Quill Project editor.
• 3+ years of experience supervising undergraduate research assistants.

• Knowledge of American government and history.
• Knowledge of state constitutional history and state constitutional conventions.
• Knowledge of the Quill Project platform.
• Knowledge of and experience in analytical/research methods and good research practices.

• Exceptional research skills.
• 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.
• Ability to teach undergraduate courses.