Scholar-in-Residence 2025-2026

About CAC

The Constitutional Accountability Center (CAC) is a nonprofit, public interest law firm and think tank dedicated to making real the progressive promise of our Constitution’s text, history, and values. We work in our courts, through our government, and with legal scholars to preserve the rights and freedoms of all in America.

At the Constitutional Accountability Center, we view the Constitution as an inherently progressive document—amended over the generations to become more just, equitable, and inclusive. To make real the promises of our national charter, we must honor and celebrate different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds, and especially the contributions of historically marginalized communities. As an organization, we make every effort to live by these ideals and help create the conditions that will allow all individuals and communities to thrive.

We are committed to the recruitment, development, and retention of talented and diverse staff who believe in true justice and equality for all people. The Constitutional Accountability Center is an equal opportunity employer, and we particularly encourage people who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latino/Latina or Latinx, Asian American or Pacific Islander, and from other underrepresented communities to join us.

CAC has adopted a hybrid work schedule with all staff working in the Washington, DC office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

To learn more about the Constitutional Accountability Center, please visit www.theusconstitution.org.

Position Summary

CAC invites applications for its 2025-2026 Scholar-in-Residence program. CAC’s Scholar-in-Residence will work independently on research and writing on a topic of mutual interest, for one year, while participating in the life of CAC’s ongoing work in litigation, joint scholarship, communications, and collaboration with progressive movement partners. During this year, the Scholar-in-Residence may work remotely, but would also be expected to come to CAC’s office in Washington, DC on occasion throughout the residency.

Constitutional scholarship is the foundation of CAC’s work. Our scholarship shows that across a broad range of key issues, the Constitution’s text and history command progressive results. CAC’s scholarly work provides the deep historical support that makes our legal arguments stand out, and builds a comprehensive narrative of the Constitution that is necessary to achieve lasting victories.

This scholar-in-residence program will provide the selected candidate an unprecedented opportunity to work on a project in an area that is congruent with the focus of CAC’s mission, including (but not limited to) Constitutional and Legal Studies, History, Political Science, African-American Studies, and the humanities more generally. Potential projects could focus on such subjects as lifting up often neglected voices in the constitutional story (for example, Black, Native American, and immigrant activists who helped shape the Constitution); the ways that structural reforms might better align our institutions toward democratic values and genuine inclusion; or the exploration of broader Constitutional understandings in advance of the upcoming 2026 commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, among others.

Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Conduct research and scholarship in a field of inquiry that intersects with CAC’s mission;
• Produce written products that could include, but are not limited to, law review articles or other scholarly essays, and articles in popular media such as The New York Times and The Atlantic;
• Brief CAC staff on research progress, and help inform the direction of CAC’s existing scholarship;
• Give two public presentations at (in person or virtual) events to educate the public and organizational partners about research progress and findings.

The Scholar-in-Residence will work in collaboration with CAC’s Director of Human Rights, Civil Rights, and Citizenship, within the CAC Think Tank.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Subject matter alliance with, and interest in, CAC’s overall mission and work;
• Project proposal for work that can help enlarge the scope of CAC’s scholarship, and potentially inform litigation;
• J.D., Ph.D., or other graduate degree in a field related to CAC’s mission and work;
• Outstanding research and writing skills;
• Attention to detail;
• Ability to be a team player as well as a self-starter; and
• Demonstrated interest in promoting a progressive vision rooted in the Constitution’s text and history.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this one-year position is $100,000 plus benefits.

CAC provides an excellent benefits package to our staff, including health, dental, and vision insurance, FSA, SmarTrip benefits, three weeks of paid vacation, one week of paid sick leave, and paid leave for Federal holidays.

To Apply

Please send a cover letter, CV, and a brief description of your potential research project to Olurotimi Odewole at olurotimi@theusconstitution.org.