Mellon Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Assistant Professor in African American Literature

Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, an undergraduate college of The New School, seeks a faculty member to begin as a post-doctoral scholar for two years, followed by appointment to a position as Assistant Professor (tenure track).

The expected start date is July 1, 2021.

Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, an undergraduate college of The New School, invites applications from promising scholars in any area of African American Literature. We especially welcome applications from candidates whose research specialties include poetry, democracy studies, gender and sexuality studies, and/or literature and law.

In addition to teaching within their field, successful candidates will be able to offer additional courses in American literature and teach core courses in Literary Studies. Candidates should demonstrate original scholarship, a strong commitment to energetic and innovative teaching, and a capacity for collaboration across the two concentrations that comprise Literary Studies at Eugene Lang College: Literature and Writing. Strong preference will be given to candidates with an ambitious and exciting research agenda. PhD required.

This position is part of a new Mellon Initiative for Inclusive Faculty Excellence at The New School. Over the next two years, eight new Mellon fellows will be hired across the University. The goal of the initiative is to integrate a cohort of recent PhDs into the academic community at The New School by providing support, mentorship, and the opportunity to participate in the Mellon Transformative Seminar, an interdisciplinary seminar bringing together members of the community who represent diverse areas of scholarship across The New School. The appointment begins with a two-year postdoctoral fellowship during which time the Mellon fellows will develop robust research projects and professional networks, with the option to teach one course in their home department.

After the two-year period, the Mellon fellows will move directly into a tenure-track position (in this case as Assistant Professor of Literary Studies). After being appointed to Assistant Professor, they will teach five courses (or their equivalent) per year in areas of their expertise.

The New School, a private university in New York City’s Greenwich Village, serves undergraduate and graduate students across a range of fields with a commitment to bringing practices in design and social research to studying issues of our time and challenging students to become engaged citizens dedicated to solving programs and contributing to the public good.

Minimum Qualifications:

We are seeking applicants with a potential to build an outstanding record of scholarly research, publications, and contributions to discussions in the area of African American Literature, and with an aptitude for scholarly innovation and trans-disciplinarity.

● Applicants must have completed their Ph.D. in English, African American Studies, or a related field in hand by the position start date (July 1, 2021).
● All applicants must be within 4 years or less of receiving the Ph.D.
● A clear potential for a trajectory of excellence in scholarly research is required.
● Experience in and demonstrated commitment to teaching at the university level.
● Excellent research design, organization, communication, and writing skills.
● Capacity to work well with students from diverse backgrounds, identities, and levels of professional experience.
● Commitment to collaborating across the University and with external partners.

To Apply:

To ensure consideration, completed applications should be received by the March 15th priority deadline. However, review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Using The New School’s human resources website https://careers.newschool.edu applicants must submit:
1. cover letter that includes research agenda and information regarding service to the discipline and/or community
2. curriculum vitae
3. one page description of courses candidate would potentially like to teach.

Applicants may be contacted at the discretion of the search committee for additional materials including writing samples and evidence of teaching excellence.

For information on the University benefits package including health and retirement plans, please visit http://www.newschool.edu/human-resources/benefits/

The New School is committed to diversity in higher education and particularly invites applications from those individuals who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our intellectual community through research, teaching, and service.

The New School is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in all its activities and programs, including employment and promotion. The New School does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, creed, sex, or gender (including gender identity and expression), pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, religious practices, mental or physical disability, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, marital or partnership status, or any other legally protected status. The New School is committed to actively recruiting a diverse pool of applicants. We encourage candidates to apply who are from groups underrepresented in US higher education.


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