Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowships

Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024-26

The Society for the Humanities will sponsor two postdoctoral teaching-research fellowships in the humanities, each awarded for the two-year period beginning August 2024. Each fellowship offers a stipend of $60,000/year.

While in residence at Cornell, Mellon Postdoctoral 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 are expected to participate in the Society’s weekly Wednesday Fellows Seminar and luncheon. 

Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowships are available in two areas of specialization this year, in the departments of Near Eastern Studies and German Studies. 

Questions can be directed to humctr@cornell.edu.

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 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.

Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in Near Eastern Studies

With the sponsorship of the Society for the Humanities, the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Cornell University invites applications for a two-year Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship beginning August 2024. This Fellowship offers a stipend of $60,000/year.

We invite applications from candidates whose scholarship focuses on questions of decoloniality/decolonial methods, environmental humanities, and / or migration studies. Temporal and regional focus is open, and we are especially interested in conceptually oriented work that critically reexamines and considers the Middle East beyond area studies.

Fellows are expected to teach two courses per year: one introductory-level course; and one advanced seminar per year, under a concurrent Visiting Lecturer appointment. Fellows spend their time in research and writing during the residential fellowship, and are required to participate in a weekly Fellows Seminar with other Fellows at the Society for the Humanities workshopping each other’s projects.

We ask applicants to share their experiences and/or approaches (past, current, or future) to fostering learning, research service, and/or outreach in a diverse community. Applicants may choose to submit a stand-alone statement or embed the information in other parts of their application materials.

Applications for the Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in Near Eastern Studies are due January 5, 2024. Applications must be submitted through Academic Jobs Online Job #25799.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants eligible for the  Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in Near Eastern Studies for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years include those who have received the Ph.D. degree after September 1, 2018 and no later than June 30, 2024.  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.

Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in German Studies

With the sponsorship of the Society for the Humanities, the Department of German Studies invites applications for a two-year Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship position beginning August 1, 2024. The fellowship carries a stipend of $60,000/year.

We are interested in candidates whose work in literary studies, cultural studies, and/or critical theory focuses on the 20th and 21st centuries and/or the early modern period. Applications by candidates whose work engages with Critical Race Studies, Migration and Diaspora Studies, or Climate and Environmental Studies are especially welcome.

The successful applicant will be fully integrated into the Society for the Humanities’ annual cohort of Faculty Fellows and post-doctoral fellows, including the weekly Wednesday Fellows seminar. The selected candidate will also hold a concurrent Visiting Lecturer appointment in order to teach one course per semester for the German Department, consisting in one lower-level and one upper-level course in German or English on topics relating to the candidate’s areas of expertise. 

Evidence of scholarly potential and excellent teaching, as well as native or near-native fluency in German required. We ask applicants to share their experiences and/or approaches (past, current, or future) to fostering learning, research service, and/or outreach in a diverse community. Applicants may choose to submit a stand-alone statement or embed the information in other parts of their application materials

Applications for the Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in German Studies are due January 15, 2024. Applications must be submitted through Academic Jobs Online Job #26276

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants eligible for the  Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in German Studies for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years include those who have received the Ph.D. degree after August 1, 2020 and no later than June 30, 2024.  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.

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