Postdoctoral Research Associate
Department of African American Studies
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign
The Department of African American Studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Associate. This is a one-year appointment starting on August 16, 2023 and may be considered for a re-appointment for a second year with additional research funds available. Postdoctoral research associates are expected to teach one of the department’s regularly offered undergraduate courses, and to give a campus-wide presentation on their research. The position will be housed in the Department of African American Studies and in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. There will be opportunities to build a supportive on-campus community working especially with the postdoctoral fellows from Latino/Latina Studies, American Indian Studies, Asian American Studies, Gender and Women’s Studies, and other academic units.
Qualifications
The candidates must have attained a Ph.D. after August 15, 2018. Individuals working toward a Ph.D. will be considered, but the dissertation must be defended and deposited prior to August 15, 2023. The primary focus of the successful candidates’ research should be on the innovative use of digital tools in the study of the Black experience broadly defined, an approach sometimes called digital humanities, BlackDH, and other terms.
The Department includes in its purview the study of Black people throughout the African diaspora. African American Studies is one of the most diverse academic departments at UIUC. Scholars in our department have doctoral degrees in Black Studies and in various disciplines in the arts and humanities, social sciences, historical studies, and (even!) STEM. We seek a postdoctoral scholar who embraces this broad interdisciplinary approach. We seek a colleague whose scholarship can advance our understanding of innovative ways in which digital tools can be deployed, and who can advance the field through research, teaching, and public engagement. Possible research themes include innovative use of digital tools to strengthen teaching (e.g., in writing instruction); addressing persisting health disparities and social inequalities; developing interventions to address climate change and climate justice; and preserving and curating historical and contemporary expressions of Black people’s lived experiences. For an example of digital work led by scholars in the Department, see the description of a Mellon-funded project on expanding the use of digital tools on the Department's homepage.
The strength of the department can only be enhanced by scholars, faculty, staff, and community constituents who are committed to continuing to transform the world through the values of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This is an external appointment. Current University of Illinois faculty members and graduate students at the Urbana-Champaign campus are not eligible to apply. Scholars who received their Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are not eligible for this appointment.
Salary and Appointment Information
The postdoctoral research associate's salary for the 2023-2024 academic year is $47,500, including a comprehensive benefits package. A research budget of $5,000 will be provided.
Application Procedures and Deadline Information
To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at http://jobs.illinois.edu and submit the following materials:
·Cover letter
·Curriculum vitae
·Statement of the research/writing project to be undertaken during the appointment (5 pages double-spaced maximum)
·Graduate transcripts (Copies are requested at time of submission; official copies will be requested from finalists at a later date)
To be considered, applications must be submitted by Monday, January 30, 2023. Additional materials, including a scholarly writing sample (25 pages maximum) and letters of recommendation may be requested at a later date. For candidates who have not yet completed their degree at the time of application, one of these letters must be from the chair of the dissertation committee addressing the likelihood of completion by the starting date of the appointment.
Employee benefits are competitive and include those in recognized marriages or civil unions (for same- sex and different-sex partners). Please reference: https://humanresources.illinois.edu/employees/new-hires/benefits.html
To find out more about the resources available at the university and Urbana-Champaign community, please visit these sites:
Complete applications received by January 30, 2023 will receive full consideration. For further information, contact: Dr. Desiree McMillion, Search Coordinator, dymc@illinois.edu, or visit the department’s website at https://afro.illinois.edu.
The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1013965
Job Category: Research
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu