Research and Content Assistant or Specialist

The University of Virginia’s Miller Center seeks an RESEARCH AND CONTENT ASSISTANT or SPECIALIST (depending on experience) for its Project on Democracy and Capitalism to support the Project’s pedagogy and policy wings. This position will include considerable research, writing, and editing, supervision of student research assistants, data gathering and management, and assistance with the drafting and production of scholarly publications. The Research and Content Specialist is distinguished from the Research and Content Assistant by advanced expertise, greater independent decision making, and increased complexity of work.

Through an emphasis on pedagogy, research, and policy, the Project on Democracy and Capitalism examines the intersection of free markets, free peoples, and free societies. The Project aims to engage both academia and the public and foster meaningful conversations on these vital topics.

The two major projects supported by this position will be DemCap Analytics , an interactive online data analysis tool accompanied by a suite of educational resources, and the Policy Teams, groups of scholars and experts working to produce policy recommendations to address current issues at the intersection of democracy and capitalism.

Responsibilities

Within the Project’s pedagogy portfolio, this individual will:

• Write, edit, and organize brief articles and case studies to be published as part of DemCap Analytics .
• Manage creation of other content types, including possible video and audio content.
• Gather and process data to be incorporated into DemCap Analytics .
• Supervise student research assistants working on articles, case studies, and data gathering.
• Provide input on improvements to the DemCap Analytics tool and website.

Within the Project’s policy portfolio, this individual will:

• Gather and manage data requested by Policy Teams.
• Draft and edit Policy Team materials.
• Supervise student research assistants assigned to Policy Teams.

In addition, this individual will:

• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in PPE (philosophy, politics, and economics), political economics, public policy, or other related field. Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a related field may substitute for years of experience.
• To be considered as a Research and Content Specialist, at least three years of experience is required. Experience may include full-time employment and/or internships, externships, shadowing, volunteering, employment as a student worker, part-time or summer jobs, and similar activities in which skills that are relevant to the work of the position are developed.
• Experience performing original research (both qualitative and quantitative) required.
• Proficiency with basic data management tools, such as Excel, or similar required. Experience with more sophisticated tools such as Stata, R, and Tableau preferred.
• Demonstrated writing ability required.
• Familiarity with underlying elements of democracy and capitalism and ability to produce high quality, short-form content related to these subjects preferred.
• Ability to uphold the values of the Miller Center’s faculty and staff, required.

Organizational Background

Established in 1975 through a generous gift from entrepreneur and philanthropist Burkett Miller, the Miller Center is a nonpartisan affiliate of the University of Virginia that specializes in presidential scholarship, public policy, and political history. It strives to apply the lessons of history and civil discourse to the nation’s most pressing contemporary governance challenges.

The Miller Center is a supportive community, grounded in diverse perspectives. Its faculty and staff value scholarly excellence, civil discourse, and respectful conduct.

Physical Demands

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.

Additional Position Information

Currently, the Miller Center is a hybrid working environment due to Covid-19 protocols. Upon the University’s and the Miller Center’s reevaluation of return to Grounds, the Miller Center will become primarily an in-person working environment, with occasional opportunities to work from home.

This is a restricted position which extends through June 15, 2025. Renewal is possible, subject to performance, availability of funds, and need. This position will remain open until filled. For questions about the application process please contact Ashley Cochran, Senior Academic Recruiter, alc6dk@virginia.edu .

To Apply

Please apply through Workday , and search for R0042043. Complete an application online with the following documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover letter
• Writing sample (or link to portfolio including writing samples, no more than 1,000 words)

All documents may be loaded into the resume submission field; multiple documents may be submitted into this one field.

**Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.**

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process, Skill Survey. References will be requested during the final phase of the interview process.

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. This position will require education verification.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines  webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person’s perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.