Changemaker Postdoctoral Fellowships in International Studies

The School of International Service (SIS) at American University (AU) invites applications for two full-time, two-year Changemaker Postdoctoral Fellowships in International Studies . These positions are designed to support the development of early-career scholars who show promise of distinguished research careers. We especially encourage
applications from individuals from sectors of the population historically underrepresented on the professorial faculties of U.S. colleges and universities. The positions begin on August 1, 2023 .

We welcome applicants who do dynamic, interdisciplinary research on pressing problems in the international realm and/or at the intersection of U.S. domestic and global contexts. Preference will be given to research topics that align with SIS’s mission of service to humanity. Candidates may teach one class per academic year, but are not required to do so.

Candidates should be enthusiastic about working in a multidisciplinary environment that includes political scientists, geographers, sociologists, anthropologists, economists, historians, and international relations scholars. Candidates should also share a commitment to the university’s diversity and inclusion plan . Preference will be given to applicants whose work is theoretically grounded, empirically tested, and policy relevant.

Applicants should hold a PhD or the highest equivalent degree in a social science discipline by the start date. Salary is competitive: $68,000 annual salary and up to $25,000 in research funds available over the two year appointment. Review of applications will begin in early October and will continue until the position is filled .

Queries about the search may be sent to Professor Malini Ranganathan ( malini@american.edu ). Queries about the online application system may be sent to SIS faculty affairs coordinator Alissa Iwaniuk ( aiwaniuk@american.edu ) and help@interfolio.com .

American University is a private institution of higher education in the nation's capital (Please visit www.american.edu for more information). SIS is a top-ten ranked school of international affairs with 3,000 students, 120+ full-time faculty and more than 20,000 alumni worldwide. SIS faculty produce transformational research and our prime location provides opportunities for collaboration with professionals in government, the private sector, and think tanks and other nonprofits. Learn more about SIS at www.american.edu/sis .

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.

American University is a tobacco and smoke free campus. To ensure the health and safety of our community, American University requires that all faculty and staff are vaccinated for Covid-19. To learn more about American University's health and safety directives please click here .

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on the successful completion of a background check.

Applicants should hold a PhD or the highest equivalent degree in a social science discipline by the start date. Candidates should be enthusiastic about working in a multidisciplinary environment that includes political scientists, geographers, sociologists, anthropologists, economists, historians, and international relations scholars. Candidates should also share a commitment to the university’s diversity and inclusion plan.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the Interfolio application system and include the following elements:

• A cover letter detailing the applicant’s proposed research and identification of potential faculty mentors from the SIS faculty with whom the applicant could collaborate.
• A curriculum vitae.
• Sample publications.
• A short teaching portfolio with statement of teaching philosophy and evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., syllabi or sample teaching evaluations).
• A statement describing past examples of the applicant’s contributions to diversity and inclusion in their scholarship, the classroom, and/or in other professional settings.
• The applicant will be asked to submit the names and email addresses of three references and to request that the Interfolio system contact them for a confidential letter of recommendation. *PLEASE NOTE: This requirement has changed. We are now requesting that applicants request their letters of recommendation for the committee's initial review. This may be different than what was advertised in external venues.