Research, Law and Policy Associate, Education Rights Institute, School of Law Contract

The Education Rights Institute (ERI) at the University of Virginia School of Law seeks a Research, Law and Policy Associate. The Research, Law and Policy Associate will work under the direction of the Institute’s Director of Research and will work closely with the Institute’s Director, Professor Kimberly Jenkins Robinson.

Launched in 2023, and led by Professor Kimberly Jenkins Robinson, ERI aims to expand the opportunity for every student in the United States to enjoy a right to a high-quality education that empowers them to be college and career ready and engaged civic participants. ERI accomplishes this goal by advancing the following strategic priorities:

• Producing scholarship and commentary that engages public debate and support for legislation or litigation guaranteeing a federal right to a high-quality education;
• Producing reports, videos and webinars that help school districts understand their obligations to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and engaging with school districts to support their understanding and compliance so that all students can enjoy equal educational opportunity;
• Amplifying research about educational opportunity gaps and their impact on individuals, families, communities, democracy and our economy through digital and other modern communication strategies to increase public awareness of these gaps; and,
• Serving as a catalyst that expands the capacity of school districts to better utilize federal laws, regulations, policies, research and assistance that can increase access to high-quality schools and close opportunity gaps so that more students are college and career ready and engaged citizens;
  Hosting invitation-only and public convenings and events about the above topics.

The Institute does not represent individual clients in legal proceedings.

The Research, Law and Policy Associate’s responsibilities include:

• Assist with the creation and implementation of a plan to collect, organize, amplify and communicate research and data on educational opportunity gaps, particularly racial, national origin and socioeconomic gaps, including through social media, and by writing and publishing editorials, essays, reports, articles, etc.
• Develop and implement a plan for social media engagement for the Institute in conjunction with the Director and the Director of Research.
• Edit, format and finalize reports and publications for the Institute.
• Write and publish research regarding a federal right to education, including articles, reports, essays and editorials.
• Contribute to the development of a plan to increase district compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including research and publications regarding policies and practices that have a disparate impact on the basis of race, color or national origin in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and how districts can remedy such violations of federal law.
• Support invitation-only and public convenings and events about the Institute’s priorities.
• Work diligently, efficiently and independently in a fast-paced, detail-oriented and highly flexible work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• J.D. or Ph.D.
• At least one year of relevant experience.
• Excellent research, analytical and writing skills.
• Strong academic and professional background.
• Superior scholarly promise.
• Demonstrated interest in education law and policy in the United States or a closely related field.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with others.
• First-rate organizational and communication skills.
• A passion for and insights regarding how to use law and policy to ensure all students receive a high-quality education.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in research, education policy, legal practice or a judicial clerkship.
• Law review or journal experience.
• Demonstrated aptitude for research, typically in the form of publication(s), including a student note. 
• Experience analyzing social science research.
• Experience working with educators, school district leaders, and/or state and federal education leaders.
• Comfortable making large and small group presentations.

This is a full-time Academic University position with benefits.   

This is a gift funded restricted position contingent on funding and performance.

This position is eligible for remote work consistent with Law School policies, with a preference for the ability to work in-office.

This position can start as early as January 2025, but no later than Summer 2025.

To Apply:

Apply online at http://jobs.virginia.edu/us/en/job/R0066681/Research-Law-and-Policy-Associate-Education-Rights-Institute-School-of-Law. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile. Complete the application, and upload the following:

• Cover letter
• CV/resume
• Writing sample
• An up to two-page statement of research topics and interests that you would like to pursue as a Research and Policy Associate.
• Names and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate.

*** Please note that ALL REQUESTED documents MUST be uploaded in the resume submission field, and you can combine documents into one PDF. ***

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

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Sarah Beach at sbeach@law.virginia.edu. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Marcus Rozier, Academic Recruiter at hjv5vm@virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia School of Law is consistently recognized as one of the top law schools in the country. The environment at the Law School is both active and supportive, with a strong sense of collegiality among students, faculty, and staff and a commitment to excellence and service.

The School of Law is located in Charlottesville, VA, a college town setting with natural beauty and significant historical relevance in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Charlottesville is a wonderful place to live with an extraordinary quality of life, often ranked among the best places to live in the United States.

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.
                                                                     

The University of Virginia, including 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, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.