Postdoctoral Associate (Duke University)

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE IN LATINO/A STUDIES

GLOBAL SOUTH AT DUKE UNIVERSITY

DEADLINE: 31 MAY 2009

The Program in Latino/a Studies in the Global South at Duke University (Latino/a Studies) invites applications for a one to two-year postdoctoral fellowship to begin in August 2009. Fellows will work under the mentorship of a Duke faculty member whose research and teaching focus on the field of Latino/a Studies, across any discipline of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The goal of the postdoctoral fellowship is to increase the field of scholars who have potential for becoming tenure track faculty teaching in Latino/a Studies at Duke University or peer institutions. Postdoctoral awardees will devote their efforts both to research and teaching.

Fellows will be expected to:

* Develop and carry out a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

* Present the proposed research to at least one academic audience within Duke as well as at one conference or a seminar outside the University.

* Write up and submit for publication the results of research or scholarship during the period of the appointment.

* Design and teach a maximum of one course per semester, the course topic to be determined and developed in collaboration with the faculty mentor and Latino/a Studies director.

* Possibly collaborate with the Latino/a Studies director and staff in coordinating an on-site conference related to the role of Latino/a Studies in higher education, in lieu of teaching one course one semester.

* Conform to standards of responsible conduct in research and comply with all applicable University and departmental policies and procedures.

* Participate in open and timely discussion with the faculty mentor and program director regarding all facets of the fellow’s research and educational activities.

* Comply with the Duke University Postdoctoral Policy available at: http://postdoc.duke.edu/policies.html.

The fellow will be appointed as Postdoctoral Associate for one academic year, beginning in August 2009, with the possibility of extending the appointment for one additional year based upon evaluations of the appointee’s fit with the program’s needs. The fellow will receive an annual stipend of $45,000, plus the applicable institutional fringe benefit package, and an additional $3,500 in research funds. Research funds may be used for travel, registration and expenses associated with attending professional meetings or workshops, membership dues for professional societies, and journal subscriptions. Fellows will be provided shared office space and if needed, a laptop computer. Faculty mentors may supplement the Fellows’ research funds with additional funding for travel from their own grants. Applicants should communicate with potential mentors about this possibility before submitting an application.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must have completed a doctoral or professional degree between July 1, 2004 and July 1, 2009. The candidate’s dissertation topic must be within the field of Latino/a Studies. Fellows will be selected on the basis of academic excellence, prior record of accomplishments, teaching experience, potential to bring diverse ideas and energy to a new and growing program in Latino/a Studies, compatibility of research interests with a sponsoring mentor, and ability to interact successfully with a broad range of faculty members, students and staff. The fellowship is limited to US citizens and permanent residents.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

The application should be submitted through mail to the address listed below. Application materials will be reviewed by the program director and steering committee. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. Required application materials include:

* Cover letter to include: personal statement describing the applicant's interest and relevant training and experience in Latino/a Studies; a declaration that the applicant is a US citizen or permanent resident; the candidate's (anticipated) date of PhD; and name of Duke mentor(s)

* Curriculum vitae

* Official transcript of academic experience

* Statement of research plans and goals

* Description of courses taught in the past and a Latino/a Studies course proposed for teaching during the fellowship

* Sample publications and/or dissertation materials (40 pages maximum)

* Supporting letter from the proposed mentor at Duke University

* Two letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters may accompany the application in separate sealed envelopes, signed by the author of the letter, or may be mailed directly to us by the person recommending the candidate.

* Rolling review of applications will begin on April 30, and will continue through May 31, 2009. Early submissions are preferred. Awards will be announced by mid-June, 2009.

Mail Applications to:

Program in Latino/a Studies in the Global South

c/o Jenny Snead Williams, Executive Director

223 Friedl Bldg, East Campus, Box 90441

Duke University, Durham, NC 27708

Inquiries may be directed by e-mail to: jennysw@duke.edu