Cornell Society for the Humanities Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in Comparative Literature

The Society for the Humanities at Cornell University will sponsor a postdoctoral teaching-research fellowship awarded for the two-year period beginning August 2021 in the Department of Comparative Literature. While in residence at Cornell, Mellon Fellows hold department affiliations and joint appointments with the Society for the Humanities, have limited teaching duties, and the opportunity for scholarly work. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellows are invited to attend all of the Society’s events, and expected to participate in the Society’s weekly Wednesday Fellows Seminar and luncheon.

Comparative Literature Fellowship

With the sponsorship of the Society for the Humanities, the Department of Comparative Literature invites applications for a two-year Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship position beginning August 1, 2021. The fellowship offers a stipend of $55,000/year.

Cornell’s Department of Comparative Literature seeks a scholar whose research critically engages questions relevant to racial formation and cultural expression in a comparative, transnational, and /or transhistorical context. We are especially interested in scholars working in the fields of African Diaspora, Afro-Latin American, or Afro-Latinx studies, but also welcome applicants working across other regions (e.g., Asia-South America, the Mediterranean writ large, Transatlantic and/or Indian Ocean and Eurasian spaces). Successful candidates will work in at least one language beyond English and engage in the intellectual and creative life of the department and of Cornell University at large. Postdoctoral Fellows teach one course per semester. Candidates should propose an introductory, 2000-level course and an advanced, 4000-level course. These courses should be conceived of as seminars, and can reflect the fellow’s particular research interests.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants eligible for the Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic years include those who have received the Ph.D. degree after September 1, 2015 and no later than June 30, 2021. Applicants who do not have the Ph.D. in hand at the time of application must include a letter from the committee chair or department stating that the Ph.D. degree will be conferred before the term of the fellowship begins. International applicants are welcome to apply, contingent upon visa eligibility.

Application Procedures

The following application materials must be submitted via Academic Jobs Online position #16904 by November 15, 2020.

1. 1. Cover page (will be generated via your AJO account): (a) Full name and home institution (b) Date (or expected date) of Ph.D. (c) Research interest(s) (d) Referees’ names and emails
2. 2. Curriculum vitae
3. 3. Detailed statement of research interests (1,000 – 2,000 words)
4. 4. Course proposal with sample syllabus for introductory, 2000-level course
5. 5. Course proposal with sample syllabus for upper, 4000-level course
6. 6. One writing sample (30-page limit)
7. 7. Letter of degree conferral (only for applicants who do not have the Ph.D. in hand by January 15, 2021)
8. 8. Three 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 November 15, 2021.

The deadline to apply is November 15, 2020.