Applications are invited for two 2-year interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Research Fellowships starting in October 2012 and based at CRASSH, University of Cambridge. The programme, funded jointly by the Andrew W Mellon Foundation and the Isaac Newton Trust, is aimed at researchers working in any field of the arts, social sciences or humanities. The fellowships will enable postdoctoral fellows to consolidate their research and publication record while developing a related project or initiative at CRASSH during their two-year fellowship.
Applicants must have been awarded a PhD by the application deadline (2 March 2012) and should normally have been awarded it not more than five years prior to taking up their fellowship. As well as conducting their own research fellows will be expected to initiate or co-ordinate a project at CRASSH. Such projects might include: convening a cross-disciplinary Graduate/Faculty research group; organising workshops, colloquia, or a conference in their field; creating an interdisciplinary research network; spearheading a collaborative cross-School or inter-institutional research initiative. Research proposals must relate to the Centre’s theme for 2011-13, Cultures and Politics of the Transregional. Like most postdoctoral fellows at Cambridge, they could at their discretion take on some tutorial teaching if they wished, to a maximum of 4-6 hours per week.
Fellows will report to the Director, Professor Simon Goldhill, and in addition will be assigned an appropriate Faculty mentor or mentors to link them to the wider research and teaching context in their field(s).
Eligibility
Mellon/Newton Research Fellows will have a strong academic record and the potential to make a significant contribution to interdisciplinary research initiatives, new or existing, at CRASSH and the University of Cambridge. Applicants must have:
- A good first degree and a doctorate in a relevant subject area of the arts, social sciences, or humanities, the doctorate being awarded by the deadline (2 March 2012) and not more than five years before 1 October 2012;
- Evidence of ability to engage in high-level research in an interdisciplinary context, with publications and participation in scholarly activity commensurate with stage of career;
- Evidence of ability and/or aptitude for organising and participating in collaborative research initiatives/projects;
- A research proposal closely related to the Centre’s theme
- Native or near native competence in English.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Appointment will be made for two years from 1 October 2012 and is non-renewable. The pensionable scale of stipends for a Mellon/Newton Postdoctoral Research Fellow is currently £27,428-£35,788. A travel and research expenses allowance of up to £3,000 per annum will be available.
Application Procedure
Applications should be made via the online system and must include the following information. All sections of the form must be completed – see the guidance below.
- Curriculum Vitae uploaded as PDF
- Term: not applicable to this competition. Leave as default option of ANY.
- Project Title & Description: Enter the details of your Research Proposal here (1,500-2,000 words, maximum 10,000 characters). This is your own research and should relate to the Centre’s theme, Cultures and Politics of the Transregional.
- A Writing Sample, chapter or article of up to 10,000 words, uploaded as PDF.
- In the first Additional Material section of the form, upload a CRASSH project proposal, (about a page outlining your ideas for CRASSH-related project, as distinct from your own research proposal) up to 500 words, uploaded as PDF.
- Form CHRIS 6, uploaded as PDF in the second Additional Material section of the form.
- Enter the names and contact details of two referees who must submit their letters of support via the online system by the closing date. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that letters of reference are received by the deadline.
Interviews will be held during the week of 24 April 2012.
Equal Opportunities Information
The University of Cambridge appoints solely on merit. No applicant for an appointment in the University, or member of staff once appointed, will be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of sex (including gender reassignment), marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability (including HIV status), sexual orientation, religion, age or socio-economic factors.
The University welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities. Our recruitment and selection procedures follow best practice and comply with disability legislation.
Vacancy Reference: VM11412
Deadline: 12pm GMT, Friday, March 2, 2012
Please contact [email protected] for queries relating to the Fellowships and/or the Application Procedure.
For more information, and to apply, click here.