Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Department of African and African American Studies (AFAS) at Washington University in St. Louis invites applications from recent Ph.D. graduates in the humanities and social sciences for two one-year postdoctoral fellowships, with the option to apply for a second-year renewal.

Position One (Africanist):

This fellowship is open to any scholar, in any discipline and geographic focus, working in African Studies. Scholars who originate from the continent of Africa strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Two (Open):

This fellowship is open to any scholar working in the fields of African, African American, and Diasporic Studies whose research and teaching builds on the existing strengths of the department and our commitment to the St. Louis region. Geographic region and time period are open. We are particularly interested in scholars whose work compliments one or more of our strengths in urbanism, environmental justice, black geographies, digital cultures, health, gender and sexuality, and slavery and its wake.

These fellowships are intended to assist junior scholars whose research focuses on topics related to Africa, African American and/or the African Diaspora in furthering their careers by providing them with opportunities for mentorship, advancing their research, and enhancing their teaching. 

AFAS postdoctoral fellows are provided a competitive salary, support for research and research-related travel, office space, and

computer equipment. They are expected to teach two courses per academic year based on their scholarly area of expertise and with 

the approval of the AFAS curriculum committee or the Chair. In addition, fellows will participate in the intellectual life of the unit and the 

university by giving and attending public lectures, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and participating in departmental   activities. The fellowship begins in the fall semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. 

Applications are evaluated against a broad set of criteria, with special consideration given to contributions the candidate can make to diversify the University community and to deepen the scholarly inquiries of the department of African and African American Studies and its curriculum.

How to apply: to apply please submit (1) a letter of interest that briefly explains the applicant’s scholarly interest, with a detailed

statement of proposed research that will be pursued during the fellowship period and courses that might be taught (up to 5 pages); (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) one writing sample  (a scholarly publication or dissertation chapter (maximum 30 pages); (4) one sample syllabus and (5) three letters of recommendation, including one from the dissertation adviser via Interfolio. Position One: https://apply.interfolio.com/98416  or Position Two: https://apply.interfolio.com/98427 

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States and must have received a doctorate no earlier  than spring 2019 and no later than July 1, 2022. Applications received by January 20, 2022 will be given priority consideration.