Mission:

The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin is a community whose members study the foundations of the American constitutional republic to advance human flourishing in a free society. We form thoughtful leaders through a civic education that prizes careful study of the American story as well as wisdom for how to live a good life. While political polarization threatens American civic life, at Civitas we advance the virtues of civil discourse. We organize our work around three pillars of the American constitutional republic: liberty and civic virtue, constitutionalism and the rule of law, and markets and enterprise. We value reasoned deliberation, intellectual curiosity, and free speech. 

Invitation to apply: 

The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin invites early career scholars without ongoing positions to apply for appointments as Postdoctoral Fellows for the University of Texas at Austin for the 2023-2024 academic year, with the possibility of a one-year renewal. The Civitas Postdoctoral Fellowship supports scholars who pursue projects that advance Civitas’s key themes, thoughtful analysis, and clear writing. As a Civitas Postdoctoral Fellow, you will devote most of your time to your proposed research and will normally teach one course each semester, pending Department approval; you will be in residence for the duration of your appointment. You will also to contribute to the Civitas intellectual community by attending or participating in Civitas programs such as public lectures and colloquia. In addition, Civitas Fellows participate regularly in Fellows’ gatherings. Civitas offers professional development for Postdoctoral Fellows, with an emphasis on the wide array of applications for higher education. 

Postdoctoral fellows with a background in the great books are welcome to become affiliates of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Study of Core Texts and Ideas and to take part in the Jefferson Center’s book club and other events. 

Fellows are invited to propose courses that align with the Civitas Institute’s mission. We have particular need for instructors in the following: 

Constitutional Principles: Core Texts, an introductory American government course that includes readings from John Locke, the American Founders, Alexis de Tocqueville, and African American political thought; 

The history of economic thought. 

You may not be employed by another institution during the term of your University of Texas at Austin appointment. The postdoctoral fellow position is: 

12-month appointment 

Full time/40 hours per week 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Regular Benefits Eligible (Fixed Term) 

Salary: $70,000 

Renewal: 

• Criteria: A Civitas Postdoctoral Fellowship is a one-year fellowship, renewable for one additional year on the basis of demonstrated project progress and contribution to the Civitas Institute’s mission 

Criteria: 

• To apply, you must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, or be able to prove that you have completed all requirements for the same. 
• To apply, you must have received a Ph.D. no more than three years prior to start date. 
• A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. 
• If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university. 

To apply, submit: 

• a cover letter, including a reflection on how—and why—you connect with Civitas’s mission 
• a curriculum vitae 
• a writing sample from within the last three years 
• a project proposal divided into:
  • a narrative of 1500 words or less that explains the aim and value of your project to scholars, general audiences, or both; explains what prepares you to take up this project; clearly explains any technical terms 
  • a work plan of 500 words or less that addresses the state of the project, timeline, and reasons to expect success 
• • unofficial transcripts 
• • contact information for three references 
• • optional: course proposal—in one page or less, describe the course and the texts you propose to teach 

Submit your application here:

For priority consideration, submit your application materials by 11:59pm Central Time, Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The fellowship committee will review applications until positions are full. 

We invite you to learn more at: https://civitas.utexas.edu/. 

Please address inquiries to: 
Sarah Beth V. Kitch 
Associate Director
Civitas Institute 
University of Texas at Austin
Email: sb.kitch@utexas.edu

Important Information 

Retirement: 
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. 

Background Checks: 
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: 
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. 

Employment Eligibility Verification: 
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university. 

E-Verify: 
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: 

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF] 
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF] 
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF] 
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF] 

Compliance: 
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. 

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701 

Mission:

The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin is a community whose members study the foundations of the American constitutional republic to advance human flourishing in a free society. We form thoughtful leaders through a civic education that prizes careful study of the American story as well as wisdom for how to live a good life. While political polarization threatens American civic life, at Civitas we advance the virtues of civil discourse. We organize our work around three pillars of the American constitutional republic: liberty and civic virtue, constitutionalism and the rule of law, and markets and enterprise. We value reasoned deliberation, intellectual curiosity, and free speech. 

Invitation:

The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin invites college and university professors and other professionals with established scholarly records to apply for appointments as Visiting Fellows for the University of Texas at Austin 2023-2024 academic year. The Civitas Visiting Fellowship supports scholars whose work advances Civitas’s core themes, thoughtful analysis, and clear writing. As a Civitas Visiting Fellow, you will devote your time to your proposed research; you will be in residence for the duration of your appointment. We invite you to contribute to the life of the Institute by attending or participating in Institute programs such as public lectures and colloquia. In addition, Civitas Fellows participate regularly in Fellows’ gatherings. 

Civitas Visiting Fellows must have a doctorate or equivalent degree. Doctorate must have been received at least three years prior to state date at UT, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. 

The position is a 12-month fellowship; fellows will normally be in residence in Austin during the fall and spring semesters. Compensation determined in coordination with a fellow’s home institution. Selected candidates will submit a confidential statement indicating salary for the current academic year (August 2022-May 2023) or else provide written authorization for the University of Texas at Austin to confirm salary for the current academic year. 

To apply, submit: 

• a cover letter, including a reflection on how—and why—you connect with Civitas’s mission 
• a curriculum vitae 
• a scholarly paper written in the last three years 
• a project proposal divided into:
  • a narrative of 1,500 words or less that explains the aim and value of your project to scholars, general audiences, or both; explains what prepares you to take up this project; clearly explains any technical terms 
  • a work plan of 500 words or less that addresses the scope of the project, state of the project, timeline, and reasons to expect success 
• contact information for three references 

Submit your application here.

For priority consideration, submit your application materials by 11:59pm Central Time, Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The fellowship committee will review applications until positions are full. 

We invite you to learn more at: https://civitas.utexas.edu/. 

Please address inquiries to: 
Sarah Beth V. Kitch 
Associate Director
Civitas Institute 
University of Texas at Austin
Email: sb.kitch@utexas.edu 

Important Information 

Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. 

Title IX and Texas Public Information Act:
There are two aspects of employment at the university that we want to share with you as you consider your application. As an employee of the university, if you witness or receive information about sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking that involves a current student or employee, you must promptly report the incident to the University’s Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Reports may be made by phone: (512) 471-0419; email, or online. An employee who does not report an incident or who makes a false report is subject to termination and may be charged with a criminal offense. For more information about employee responsibilities under Title IX, including information about confidential employee reporting exceptions, please visit the Title IX website at http://titleix.utexas.edu/ 

Additionally, the university is a public employer and is subject to the Texas Public Information Act. As such, records created by and about you may be subject to an open records request and disclosure. Your name, work location and other employment related information, including salary, may be visible on publicly accessible websites or in other publicly available records