Visiting Scholar

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Job Title:

Visiting Scholar

Department:

Academic Affairs Administration | Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society

The Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society

The Ohio State University’s motto, Disciplina in Civitatem, or “Education for Citizenship,” is not merely a slogan; it is an exhortation to remain focused on the responsibility to develop an informed, engaged, and civic-minded citizenry. It is essential to fulfilling Ohio State’s land-grant mission.

The State of Ohio established the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at Ohio State ("the Chase Center" or “Center”) in 2023. The Chase Center is a multidisciplinary university center that conducts teaching, research, and public programming concerning the core texts and great debates of Western civilization; the principles, ideals, and institutions of the American and Ohio political order; and the foundations of responsible leadership and informed citizenship. It is an independent academic unit of the University. The Center is a leader of the growing cadre of schools of civic thought in Ohio and throughout the country.

In just its second year of operation, the Chase Center has quickly established itself as a dynamic academic community with world-class faculty. Building on this strong momentum, in the current academic year the Center will launch its first major, develop three new academic programs, and further expand its extensive course offerings. It will also deepen its outreach by continuing to deliver a robust suite of public events, professional development for K-12 educators, and study abroad opportunities for both students and faculty. Backed by a growing Chase Society student community and generous public and private financial support, the Center is on pace for full maturity over the next three years.

Our prior Visiting Scholar of Civic Thought, Dr. John Thrasher, gave a well-received public lecture, “What Free Speech Is For” and joined the Center’s permanent faculty.  

Position Overview

The Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society is conducting a nationwide search for up to three Visiting Scholars of Civic Thought for the 2027–2028 academic year (or part of the academic year). The successful candidate will be an excellent scholar in a discipline relevant to civic thought. We are especially interested in candidates with expertise in the following subjects: natural law, civic leadership, and artificial intelligence and civics. 

The Visiting Scholar will teach, publish research, and make contributions to his or her academic discipline in a manner that serves the Center’s mission, and will be actively engaged in the Center’s and Ohio State’s intellectual life. The Chase Center may consider the Visiting Scholar for a permanent position.

One of the Visiting Scholar positions is funded by a gift and will be for a scholar whose work has implications for free speech or academic freedom.  This Visiting Scholar will give a lecture on free speech (or a related concept), teach a course on free speech (or a related concept), research and publish on free speech (or a related concept), and help organize the Chase Center’s annual conference on civic thought.

The Center’s faculty are public-spirited scholars who are committed to building an academic community in which civic life and the life of the mind flourish. As the heart of the Center’s academic community, faculty will advance the Center’s mission by making meaningful contributions to their academic disciplines, teaching and mentoring students, modeling collegiality, and serving the University and the broader Ohio community. Faculty, as with all members of the Center, should be familiar with and embrace the Center’s mission as defined by ORC § 3335.39.   

Salary and benefits are competitive.

Performance Objectives

• Contribute and demonstrate a commitment to the Chase Center’s mission through teaching, research, and service.

• Effectively teach courses that advance the Center’s mission, including one or more of the Center’s civic literacy requirements.

• Demonstrate expertise and a scholarly reputation in a discipline relevant to civic thought and leadership.

• Publish high-quality scholarship in academic outlets in the faculty member’s discipline, as well as other academic and popular outlets.

• Engage in service to the Chase Center, the University, and the broader community.

• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Demonstrate poise, professionalism, and good judgment.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required

• A Ph.D., J.D., or other terminal degree in a field related to the Center’s mission.

• Record of publishing high-quality and impactful scholarship in prestigious academic outlets in the faculty member’s discipline, as well as other academic and popular outlets.

• Record of effectively teaching undergraduate courses that will advance the Center’s mission.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit your application via https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Visiting-Scholar_R159417. Once you start the application you will need to fill it out to completion and upload all required materials. Please be aware that you will not be able to edit your application or materials after submission.

Application materials must include the following:

Cover letter describing how the candidate meets the qualifications for the position, including his or her commitment to the Center’s mission and an explanation of how the candidate is prepared to support that mission through teaching (including courses the candidate might teach), research, and contributions to the Center’s institutional development.

• The letter should be addressed to:

• Appointments Committee

• 5042 Smith Lab

• 174 West 18th Avenue, Room 5033

• Columbus, OH 43210

Curriculum vita (CV)

Statement of teaching

Statement of research

Writing sample (recent article, working paper, or chapter)

The names and contact information of at least three individuals who can provide a letter of reference. (We will request letters of reference if/when candidates move to the interview stage.)

The application deadline is October 26, at 11:59 p.m. We will review all applications submitted by the deadline. Please email the search committee at [email protected] if you have questions about the application process.

The University

Ohio State is a top-15 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression. Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world.

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs has established central resources to focus on offering support to new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual career partner consultation, potential employer and/or employment opportunity identification, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community.  While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are available.  More information about dual career and faculty recruitment can be found here.

In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. 

Columbus

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and vibrant metropolitan area with a population of nearly 2.25 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. Beyond its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.

Additional Information:

Location:

Smith Laboratory (0065)

Position Type:

Regular

Scheduled Hours:

40

Shift:

First Shift

The Ohio State University believes in diversity in people and ideas. What Ohio State does matters. And how we do it matters. When we are at our best, we make a real difference to people. Our size, breadth, geography, history and standard of excellence position us to drive the future of higher education. We believe that the university should be a place where people can work and learn together in a safe environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. As such, finalists for any faculty position that carries tenure must sign an authorization and disclosure form, which will allow current or prior employer(s) to share information to the University regarding any findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against a candidate and/or any pending investigations related to alleged misconduct. Such information shall include findings and pending investigations with respect to sexual harassment, violence, or harassment; research misconduct; financial fraud or misconduct; foreign influence violations, grant misuse or misconduct; and/or any other type of finding or pending investigation relating to a candidate’s employer’s policies and rules governing faculty conduct that may reasonably be expected to affect a candidate’s appointment. If the University becomes aware of any past finding of misconduct or pending investigations that were not disclosed, Ohio State will treat that as a serious omission and reserves the right to rescind an offer or terminate employment.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.  A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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