Lecturer for Salmon P Chase Center

The Ohio State University’s motto, Disciplina in Civitatem , or “education for citizenship,” is not merely a slogan; it’s 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.

In 2023, the State of Ohio established and funded the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at Ohio State ("the Chase Center"). The Center will grow over time under the leadership of its Executive Director who will define the Center’s vision, appoint at least fifteen tenure-track scholars to realize that vision, and oversee the development of curriculum in accordance with the Center’s statutory mission to “conduct teaching and research in the historical ideas, traditions, and texts that have shaped the American constitutional order and society” ( ORC § 3335.39).

The Chase Center is a multidisciplinary university center that will conduct 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 similar centers of civic thought and leadership in Ohio and throughout the country.

Position Overview

The Center seeks to fill a lecturer position, to start in the 2025–2026 academic year. Lecturers are on renewable contracts of 1-3 years. Successful candidates will be quality scholars and excellent teachers in disciplines relevant to civic thought and leadership, including (but not limited to) economics, English, history, law, philosophy, political science, religious studies, and sociology. Lecturers will teach, publish research, and make contributions to their 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 Center’s founding faculty will be 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 teaching and mentoring students, making meaningful contributions to their academic disciplines, 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. We welcome applications from qualified candidates who require work authorization.

Performance Objectives

• Contribute and demonstrate a commitment to the Chase Center’s statutory mission through teaching, research, and service.
• Develop and effectively teach courses that advance the Center’s mission.
• Establish 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

• Applicants must have completed, or be on track to complete before starting the position, a Ph.D., J.D., or other terminal degree in a field related to the Center’s mission.
• Record of developing and effectively teaching courses that advance the Center’s mission.

Desired

• Record of high-quality scholarship and educational programming that advance the Center’s mission.