Postdoc Associate (Humanities Scholars Program) at the Cornell University

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

Effective immediately, all new Cornell hires, regardless of work location, must be fully vaccinated with an FDA- or WHO- authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine or have obtained a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption by December 8, 2021, or before their start date if after December 8.

      Registration website

Eligible applicants for this search are Cornell University PhD candidates and recent Cornell PhDs.

The Humanities Scholars Program, an undergraduate research initiative in Cornell University’s College of Arts & Sciences, invites applications from scholars holding PhDs from Cornell and Cornell PhD candidates for one-year postdoctoral positions beginning August 1, 2022. The positions offer stipends of $58,000/year. Two postdoctoral associates will be appointed.

The Humanities Scholars Program seeks Cornell University scholars who have completed a Cornell PhD in any discipline, including the humanities, interpretive social sciences, and the creative arts; we also welcome scholars who conduct interdisciplinary research that transcends traditional disciplines. All successful candidates will be able to demonstrate experience performing scholarly research. 

The Postdoctoral Associates will be selected based on their research’s promise for cultivating interdisciplinary exchange, nurturing collaboration across academic disciplines, and building upon existing disciplinary contributions to the humanities, broadly conceived.  We seek candidates who are eager to develop their skills in undergraduate pedagogy, focusing in particular on guiding and mentoring undergraduates through the process of developing and researching humanistic questions. 

We anticipate that the Postdoctoral Associates will teach one seminar per year, which is one section of SHUM 2750 Introduction to the Humanities in the spring term. As well, we expect each fellow to supervise one-credit course SHUM 4750 for guiding seniors through the senior thesis in the fall and spring terms. They will organize and support a regular schedule of events such as peer-to-peer workshopping of work-in-progress, workshops in oral presentation skills, careers in humanities, and other professional training, and regular coffee hours, lunches, and informal gatherings with faculty and graduate students. The successful candidate will work closely with the director and program manager to develop a schedule of events to integrate the Humanities Scholar Program students with events occurring across campus in the humanities.

Applicants eligible for the Humanities Scholars Program Postdoctoral Associate positions for the 2022-23 academic year include scholars holding PhDs from Cornell and Cornell PhD candidates who complete the PhD degree between January 1, 2020 and July 31, 2022. Applicants who do not have the PhD in hand at the time of application must include a letter from the committee chair stating that all degree requirements for the PhD, including the B exam, will be completed by July 31, 2022. Candidates with a doctorate or equivalent in any field are eligible.

International applicants are welcome to apply, contingent upon visa eligibility and all COVID travel guidelines and restrictions in place at the time. Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.

Effective immediately, all new Cornell hires, regardless of work location, must be fully vaccinated with an FDA- or WHO- authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine or have obtained a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption by December 8, 2021, or before their start date if after December 8.

Application Procedures

The following application materials must be submitted via Academic Jobs Online, https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/20432 by February 1, 2022. 

Cover page (generated via your AJO account):

• Full name and netID
• 
  
• Date (or expected date) of PhD
  
• 
  
• Department or field
• 
  
• Referees’ names and emails
  

Curriculum vitae

Cover letter that details the candidate’s interest in the Humanities Scholars Program and why their experience makes them an appropriate candidate [2000 words max] 

Syllabi from courses taught 

Teaching statement that emphasizes different ways of teaching in the humanities [1000 words max]  

Diversity statement [1000 words max] 

One writing sample [30 pages max] 

Letter of degree conferral if PhD not yet completed  

Sent separately: Two letters of recommendation. Please ask referees to upload their letters directly through the link provided by Academic Jobs Online. Letters must be received on or before February 1, 2022. 

Awards will be announced by the mid-March.

Contact Julie McLean at [email protected] or 607-255-9276. 

The Humanities Scholars Program fosters independent, interdisciplinary undergraduate research in the humanities, and provides a supportive community, through a series of curated courses, structured mentorship, special programming, and research opportunities and funding. The Humanities Scholars Program is accepting applications from current sophomores for its third cohort. Faculty director Durba Ghosh, professor of history at Cornell University, leads the current cohorts of 30 juniors and 30 seniors. 

https://as.cornell.edu/humanities-scholars-program

The Society for the Humanities was established at Cornell University in 1966 to support research and teaching in the humanities. It is intended to be at once a research institute, a stimulus to educational innovation, and a continuing society of scholars. The Society and its Fellows have fostered path-breaking interdisciplinary dialogue and theoretical reflection on the humanities at large. Humanities Scholars Program Postdoctoral Fellows will share an office in the A.D. White House, which also houses Society Fellows. HSP postdocs are invited to attend all of the Society’s events and participate in the Society’s weekly Fellows seminar and luncheon.

https://societyhumanities.as.cornell.edu/

Employment Assistance:

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Department of Inclusion and Workforce Diversity at voice (607) 255-3976, fax (607) 255-7481, or email at [email protected].

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.