Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship in Action for Health and Environmental Justice

The School of Human Evolution and Social Change at Arizona State University (ASU) is a global leader in collaborative, transformative research and teaching at the intersections of global health, environmental social science, and anthropology. A vibrant community of scholars, teachers, and professionals, SHESC includes over 55 tenure-track faculty members that serve 1100 undergraduate majors in global health and anthropology and 125 PhD and MA/MS students across five graduate programs. Research and teaching at SHESC (https://shesc.asu.edu) have contributed to ASU ranking #1 in anthropology in both research funding and output. SHESC faculty are affiliated with a wide diversity of transdisciplinary research groups, including the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, the Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research site, Earth Systems Science for the Anthropocene, and the Centers for Archaeology and Society, Evolution and Medicine, and Global Health.

 

We invite applicants for a postdoctoral fellowship in the area of action and justice-oriented research that can address contemporary challenges in health, environment, or allied domains. This postdoctoral position is intended to transition into a future tenure-track then tenured faculty appointment at ASU, and is part of a cohort of 10-15 other postdoctoral scholars at ASU also supported by the multi-campus Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. The goal of the program is to support the career development of outstanding Ph.D. recipients with great potential for advancing the ASU Charter.

 

Primary job duties will include:

• Advancing scholarship and developing a scholarly agenda appropriate for a tenure-track academic position. This includes scholarly writing, presenting scholarship at national and/or international conferences, and pursuing external funding opportunities, as needed, to sustain or expand their community partnered, justice-oriented, collaborative, health and/or environmental action-oriented scholarship.

• Developing and deepening relationships foundational to their community partnered, justice-oriented, collaborative, health and/or environmental action-oriented scholarship.

• Pursuing teaching and/or other educational opportunities such as co-teaching, delivery of seminars, or other creative mentoring activities that align with development as a scholar.

• The program seeks applicants whose professional preparedness, experience, and accomplishments are informed by experiences working with and within groups historically underrepresented in higher education in the United States. Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate, through prior actions and achievements, intentional and actioned commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Examples of such contributions are research or creative activity focused on empowering underserved populations; teaching, mentorship, and service that increases equitable access; and inclusion in fields where historically excluded populations are underrepresented.

   

The successful candidate will be supported in leading their own emerging program of scholarship. The School of Human Evolution and Social Change will provide individualized mentorship and career development to ensure each candidate is well prepared to succeed in a future tenure track appointment. Career development and community building will also occur through programmatic support at the ASU Graduate College’s Postdoctoral Affairs Office.

 

About Arizona State University

 

ASU is a large, comprehensive, research university and for nearly two decades, has transformed into the “New American University,” one dedicated to the simultaneous pursuit of excellence, broad access to quality education, and meaningful societal impact. By our Charter and Design Aspirations, we center inclusion and success as values that drive the enterprise; adopt inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning as ways to address society’s greatest challenges; and develop innovative partnerships to produce master learners across the lifespan. To learn more about ASU, visit http://www.asu.edu.

 

Qualifications and Characteristics

 

Minimum qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to community partnering, justice-oriented, collaborative, health and/or environmental action-oriented research (broadly defined)

• PhD in social sciences, health sciences, Black studies, African American studies, Native American studies, American Indian studies, justice studies or allied fields by time appointment begins

• Potential for effectiveness in teaching ASU’s diverse student population

• Potential for effectiveness in both academic and public-facing scholarly communication

• Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse students, faculty, and staff populations and communities

Desired qualifications

• Community-based or community-serving program of research and/or outreach leveraging familial, historical, linguistic, and/or cultural ties

• Experience in advancing activist research, participatory action research, or other transformative research activities, such as those focused on advancing social, health, or environmental justice
• Academic publications and external awards

This position is located at the Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. All postdoctoral fellowship positions are for one year. Options for an additional one or two years of funding or a transition to a tenure track position may be offered, depending on each fellow’s progress and training needs. Faculty tenure track appointments will require a process of review within the designated tenure home unit. 

 

The minimum fiscal year (12-month) salary for this postdoctoral fellowship position is $70,000 along with competitive benefits through ASU including health insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. The postdoctoral fellow will also receive funds to support development of their research program. The postdoctoral fellow must be in residence in the greater-Phoenix metropolitan area during the appointment.

 

Applications and Inquiries

 

Applications can be submitted online via apply.interfolio.com/124410. Application materials should include a curriculum vitae; a letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications noted above; a diversity statement addressing how your past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion will advance ASU’s Charter; and contact information for 3 references including email addresses.

 

Application deadline is June 7, 2023.  Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool.  Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.

 

Inquiries can be directed to Abigail York, abigail.york@asu.edu

 

“The College values our cultural and intellectual diversity, and continually strives to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. We are especially interested in applicants who can strengthen the diversity of the academic community.”

 

A background check is required for employment.

 

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.  (See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.)

 

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COVID-19 Vaccination - Arizona State University is a federal contractor and subject to federal regulations which may require you to produce a record of a COVID-19 vaccination. For questions about medical or religious accommodations, please visit the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s webpage

• Demonstrated commitment to community partnering, justice-oriented, collaborative, health and/or environmental action-oriented research (broadly defined) PhD in social sciences, health sciences, Black studies, African American studies, Native American studies, American Indian studies, justice studies or allied fields by time appointment begins Potential for effectiveness in teaching ASU’s diverse student population Potential for effectiveness in both academic and public-facing scholarly communication Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse students, faculty, and staff populations and communities

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• Community-based or community-serving program of research and/or outreach leveraging familial, historical, linguistic, and/or cultural ties Experience in advancing activist research, participatory action research, or other transformative research activities, such as those focused on advancing social, health, or environmental justice Academic publications and external awards