JOE Listings (Job Openings for Economists)

August 1, 2026 - January 31, 2027

Florida State University

Institute for Governance and Civics
Liberty Lab Director (12mth)

JOE ID Number: 2026-02_111478262
Date Posted: 10/14/2026
Position Title/Short Description
Title: Liberty Lab Director (12mth)
Section: US: Full-Time Academic (Permanent, Tenure Track or Tenured)
Location: Tallahassee, Florida, UNITED STATES
JEL Classification: 00 -- 00 - Default: Any Field
Keywords:
Research interests that contribute to the study of liberty and American civics.
Publication
Ph.D.degree
academic backgrounds, including (but not limited to): psychology, political science, economics, communications, public policy, history, religion, and more.
Full Text of JOE Listing:

Research Faculty – Institute for Governance and Civics - 12 Mo SAL (Open Rank)

The Institute for Governance and Civics at Florida State University

https://igc.fsu.edu

What IGC is calling America’s Liberty Lab is a distinctive program that sets the IGC apart nationally. It uses the methods of the hard sciences and social sciences to study liberty itself. Just as traditional labs test hypotheses through experimentation and data, the Liberty Lab will investigate where and how liberty thrives-and where it does not using polling, surveys, and cognitive science.

The Lab will serve as a hub for: data collection and empirical analysis across our four pillars of liberty (constitutional liberty, economic liberty, conscience liberty, and educational liberty); original survey research and public opinion polling; field and natural experiments on policy and institutional design; use of advanced cognitive research methods; and evaluation of real-world laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

The Institute for Governance and Civics at Florida State University seeks candidates for a Research Faculty position that is also the Lab Director for our cognitive America’s Liberty Lab.

We are particularly interested in researchers whose work addresses real policy outcomes. We expect research faculty to publish in academic outlets as well as write white papers and other work read by policy makers. The goal is to link topflight cognitive and academic research with nonpartisan public policy discussions.

We seek candidates from a broad array of academic backgrounds, including (but not limited to): psychology, political science, economics, communications, public policy, history, religion, and more.

The successful candidate will also be expected to possess sufficient managerial skills to head up the Liberty Lab. The Lab Director will assist with the initial equipping and design of the new cognitive lab facilities, coordinate with faculty over their research, ensure student access to the Lab, work with the IGC Director, the branch head for Data, Analyses, and Polling, and the communications team to publicize the Lab's research, and oversee Lab practice and procedures, including IRB approvals, access to lab spaces and equipment, and related matters. Applicants should have experience with EEGs, eye tracking, and biopac equipment.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Completed Ph.D. by the date of hire.

Research interests that contribute to the study of liberty and American civics.

Potential for high-impact publications.

Commitment to the mission of enhancing civic awareness as well as a readiness to contribute to the intellectual life and programmatic development of the IGC.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree upon taking the position.


Contact Information

Dr. James Lynn Woodworth, Head of Data, Analysis, and Polling

Institute for Governance and Civics

Florida State University, Lynn Woodworth jlw25c@fsu.edu


Considerations

This is a faculty position.

This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.

Equal Employment Opportunity

FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Application Requirements:
  • External Application URL and Instructions Below
Application deadline: 12/31/2027
Application Instructions:
How To Apply

If qualified and interested in a specific Faculty job opening as advertised, apply through the FSU Faculty Careers site (jobs.fsu.edu). If you are a current FSU employee, apply through myFSU Self Service.

Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include education details even if attaching a Vita.