Post-doctoral Research Associate and Lecturer - Engagements, College of Arts & Sciences

The College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Virginia invites applications for several Postdoctoral Research Associate and Lecturer positions in the College's core Engagements program for a one-year appointment, renewable contingent upon satisfactory performance and funding, starting the fall of 2026.

In October 2019, the Faculty of the College of Arts & Sciences voted to fully adopt a new general education curriculum for its undergraduates, composed of three conceptually related components: the Engagements, Literacies, and Disciplines. Postdoctoral Research Associates, in consort with faculty College Fellows, serve as instructors of record in the Engagements: a series of 2-credit, half-semester courses designed to foster intellectual sensibilities that are generally deployed across all realms of inquiry. Courses align with one of four pillars: Engaging Aesthetics, Empirical & Scientific Engagement, Engaging Differences, and Ethical Engagement. Postdoctoral Research Associates are responsible for developing two courses in one (or two) of the Engagement pillars. For more information about the Engagements, visit: http://gened.as.virginia.edu.

Postdoctoral Research Associates teach six sections of their Engagement courses (2 credits each) per academic year.

Postdoctoral Research Associates are expected to pursue a vigorous research agenda grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. They are active participants in the College Fellows - a cohort of faculty drawn from across the College and entrusted with crafting a unique and compelling first-year general education experience for A&S undergraduates. In addition, Research Associates are expected to participate in (and possibly lead) College Fellows sponsored events such as lectures for the University community, symposia, and seminars regarding the Liberal Arts & Sciences at UVA. Administrative duties include participation in bimonthly professional development sessions and select general education committees that relate to the implementation of the curriculum. These duties are assigned by the Director of the College Fellows.

Candidates must defend their dissertations by June 1, 2026 and have a terminal degree conferred by August 1, 2026, and no earlier than May 2021.

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.

Compensation will take the form of 12-month salary with full-time benefits.

This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Review of applications will begin on January 17, 2026, and will continue until the positions are filled. Finalists will participate in a virtual interview with the search committee in Spring 2026.

UVA will perform background checks including receipt of official transcripts from the institution granting the highest degree for all new hires prior to making a final offer of employment.

This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

To Apply:

Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0077199. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Cover letter

• CV

• A two-page course description and syllabus for one of the four Engagements (please clearly indicate which Engagement you have selected)

• Contact information for three references

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.

Questions about this position should be directed to Laura Goldblatt, Chair of the Search Committee, leg2e@virginia.edu. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to: Melanie Sponaugle, unw5dq@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.