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/.

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. UVA offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits to its community of postdoctoral researchers and scholars.

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. 

How to Apply

Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0077090. Complete an application with the following documents:  

CVCover LetterA two-page proposal on how you would like to contribute to the Center for Effective LawmakingContact information for three referencesWriting sampleGraduate school transcript

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF.   Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants: Apply through your Workday profile by searching “Find Jobs.”

For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, Senior Recruiter, sxv9zv@virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.