Civic Teaching Postdoctoral Fellow – FORGE

Ball State University; Muncie (IN); On-site; USD 56,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

MakeMyMove relocation program

Relocation benefits up to $5,000

Tuition assistance: undergraduate 100%

Job summary

Ball State University invites applications for a Civic Teaching Postdoctoral Fellow – FORGE. The Fellow will develop curriculum, provide instructional support, and translate project content into high‑quality classroom practice across American history, civics, geography, and constitutional literacy.

The position is full‑time, grant‑funded, and based in Muncie, Indiana. The Fellow will collaborate with educators, teacher candidates, and partners, contribute to research, dissemination, and

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate (PhD, EdD, or equivalent terminal degree) in education, history, political science, civic education, social studies education, American studies, philosophy, public policy, or a closely related field by the date of appointment.
• Evidence of scholarly or professional expertise related to American history, civics and government, constitutional studies, democratic institutions, civic learning, or a closely related area.
• Experience conducting research, developing educational resources, or translating scholarly knowledge for educational or public audiences.
• Demonstrated interest in applying scholarship to civic education, educator professional learning, K–12 schools, or community‑based civic initiatives.
• Evidence of ability to conduct scholarly or applied research and contribute to academic or professional publications and dissemination.
• Strong written, oral, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, adapt, and refine FORGE curriculum, instructional materials, professional learning resources, and open‑access teaching resources focused on American history, civics and government, geography, constitutional literacy, founding documents, and evidence‑based civic instruction.
• Support the design and implementation of Civic Humanities Institutes, Constitutional Literacy and Applied History Labs, Constitutional Inquiry Cycles, regional professional learning activities, and other FORGE instructional experiences.
• Provide instructional coaching and implementation support to participating educators as they design, implement, assess, and refine project‑aligned instruction in their classrooms.
• Mentor participating teacher candidates in civic content, instructional design, field‑based implementation, and professional portfolio development.
• Work with educators to collect and examine student‑learning evidence, instructional artifacts, assessments, student work, and implementation documentation and use evidence to support instructional improvement.
• Collaborate with the Principal Investigator, Project Director, faculty leads, project partners, and external evaluator to support implementation fidelity, continuous improvement, and achievement of FORGE objectives and performance measures.
• Contribute to applied research associated with FORGE, including literature review, instrument and protocol development, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and preparation of research and evaluation products consistent with approved university and project procedures.
• Develop scholarly and practitioner‑oriented products arising from the project, including manuscripts, conference presentations, research briefs, instructional resources, implementation guides, and other dissemination products.
• Help organize, document, and disseminate FORGE resources for voluntary adoption by schools, districts, educator preparation programs, and civic‑learning organizations.
• Participate in project team meetings, professional learning activities, regional events, and continuous‑improvement processes and contribute academic and instructional expertise to project planning and implementation.
• Maintain appropriate project records and follow university, grant, research, and data‑management procedures in consultation with the Principal Investigator and appropriate university offices.

Job description

Position Title

Civic Teaching Postdoctoral Fellow – FORGE

Compensation

$62,500

Department

Educational Studies_A

About This Opportunity

The Civic Teaching Postdoctoral Fellow will provide academic and instructional support for FORGE’s (Foundations of Representative Government and Engagement) work with educators, teacher candidates, schools, and regional partners. The Fellow will help translate project content and professional learning into high-quality instructional practice by developing curriculum and professional learning resources; supporting Constitutional Inquiry Cycles and other classroom implementation activities; coaching participating educators; and mentoring teacher candidates engaged in civic instructional design and field-based experiences.

The Fellow will also contribute to the collection and analysis of project evidence, preparation of scholarly and practitioner-oriented products, conference presentations, and development of open-access resources. The Fellow will work closely with the Principal Investigator, Project Director, faculty leads, Indiana Bar Foundation, participating educators and schools, and the project’s research and evaluation team.

Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

This position is grant funded and is designated as an at‑will assignment.

Position Function – What you'll do and what you'll bring

Support the development, implementation, study, and dissemination of FORGE (Foundations of Representative Government and Engagement), a statewide civic education initiative administered through Ball State University’s Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL). Supported by the U.S. Department of Education’s American History and Civics–National Activities program, FORGE strengthens teaching and learning in American history, civics and government, geography, and constitutional literacy. The Civic Teaching Postdoctoral Fellow will work at the intersection of educator professional learning, curriculum and instructional development, teacher preparation, classroom implementation, and applied research. The Fellow will support practicing educators and teacher candidates, develop and refine instructional resources, contribute to research and evaluation activities, and help disseminate project findings and resources for use by educators, schools, and educator preparation programs. This is a full‑time, grant‑funded postdoctoral position.

Continued appointment is contingent upon available funding and university appointment terms.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, adapt, and refine FORGE curriculum, instructional materials, professional learning resources, and open‑access teaching resources focused on American history, civics and government, geography, constitutional literacy, founding documents, and evidence‑based civic instruction.
• Support the design and implementation of Civic Humanities Institutes, Constitutional Literacy and Applied History Labs, Constitutional Inquiry Cycles, regional professional learning activities, and other FORGE instructional experiences.
• Provide instructional coaching and implementation support to participating educators as they design, implement, assess, and refine project‑aligned instruction in their classrooms.
• Mentor participating teacher candidates in civic content, instructional design, field‑based implementation, and professional portfolio development.
• Work with educators to collect and examine student‑learning evidence, instructional artifacts, assessments, student work, and implementation documentation and use evidence to support instructional improvement.
• Collaborate with the Principal Investigator, Project Director, faculty leads, project partners, and external evaluator to support implementation fidelity, continuous improvement, and achievement of FORGE objectives and performance measures.
• Contribute to applied research associated with FORGE, including literature review, instrument and protocol development, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and preparation of research and evaluation products consistent with approved university and project procedures.
• Develop scholarly and practitioner‑oriented products arising from the project, including manuscripts, conference presentations, research briefs, instructional resources, implementation guides, and other dissemination products.
• Help organize, document, and disseminate FORGE resources for voluntary adoption by schools, districts, educator preparation programs, and civic‑learning organizations.
• Participate in project team meetings, professional learning activities, regional events, and continuous‑improvement processes and contribute academic and instructional expertise to project planning and implementation.
• Maintain appropriate project records and follow university, grant, research, and data‑management procedures in consultation with the Principal Investigator and appropriate university offices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned doctorate (PhD, EdD, or equivalent terminal degree) in education, history, political science, civic education, social studies education, American studies, philosophy, public policy, or a closely related field by the date of appointment.
• Evidence of scholarly or professional expertise related to American history, civics and government, constitutional studies, democratic institutions, civic learning, or a closely related area.
• Experience conducting research, developing educational resources, or translating scholarly knowledge for educational or public audiences.
• Demonstrated interest in applying scholarship to civic education, educator professional learning, K–12 schools, or community‑based civic initiatives.
• Evidence of ability to conduct scholarly or applied research and contribute to academic or professional publications and dissemination.
• Strong written, oral, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.

Additional Position Requirements

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across university, school, and community settings; manage multiple instructional, research, and dissemination responsibilities; and meet project deadlines.
• Requires travel to participating schools, regional hubs, professional learning activities, and other FORGE events throughout Indiana. NOTE: Must hold a valid driver's license and be insurable under the university's auto fleet policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research or teaching expertise in civic education, social studies education, American history, civics and government, constitutional studies, geography education, or related fields.
• Experience designing or facilitating professional learning for practicing educators.
• Experience with inquiry‑based instruction, primary‑source pedagogy, historical thinking, constitutional inquiry, geographic reasoning, disciplinary literacy, or evidence‑based discussion.
• Experience mentoring preservice teachers or supporting field‑based teacher preparation.
• Experience conducting classroom‑based, mixed‑methods, implementation, or program evaluation research.
• Experience analyzing educational data and translating findings for practitioner and scholarly audiences.
• Record of scholarly publication, conference presentation, or development of publicly accessible educational resources.
• Experience collaborating with schools, community organizations, civic institutions, or multidisciplinary project teams.
• Interest in pursuing an independent program of scholarship connected to civic learning, teacher education, or educational implementation.

Application Deadline

January 15, 2027

What We Offer

At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well‑being. That's why we offer paid 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long‑term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.

When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. We do the same for you. In fact, we'll cover 100 percent of the tuition costs for you to earn your undergraduate degree and 80 percent of your graduate tuition. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits. Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Professional and download the spreadsheet. If you are applying for a 10-month position or one with Burris or Indiana Academy, please select the corresponding calculator.

Relocation Program: MakeMyMove

Looking for a place where your career, community, and quality of life can grow together? Muncie and Delaware County offer the advantages of a university community with the accessibility and affordability of a mid‑sized city—short commutes, local arts and culture, parks and trails, educational opportunities, healthcare, athletics, and a strong sense of connection.

Through the City of Muncie’s MakeMyMove program, eligible new residents may access relocation incentives, university‑related benefits, co‑working options, and community‑building opportunities designed to help them get settled and connected.

Current Benefits For Eligible Participants May Include

• Up to $5,000 cash for relocation
• Co‑working space courtesy of The Innovation Connector
• Access to the Ball State University Library
• One‑semester Rec Fit pass at Ball State University
• Discounted Ball State Athletics tickets
• Help desk for connecting to local resources
• Opportunity for board participation
• Six‑month YMCA membership

Relocation programs on MakeMyMove have specific eligibility requirements, and benefits may vary by program. Applicants should review the current MakeMyMove page to confirm eligibility, available benefits, and program status.

Ball State’s support for relocation resources and community partnerships aligns with Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, the University’s strategic plan. The plan calls our University to work with community partners to promote talent attraction and retention, foster economic growth in East Central Indiana, and strengthen the economic and social vitality of the communities we serve.

Explore the program and check your eligibility through MakeMyMove.