University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Application Deadline - October 31, 2008
Fellowship Description
Purpose
Recognizing that diverse communities foster thriving learning and working environments, the University of Minnesota is committed to advancing the intellectual agenda and enhancing the cultural diversity of the University community. The University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Fellowship is a university-wide initiative to attract promising scholars with potential to pursue future faculty positions at the University of Minnesota and at other top research universities. We are particularly interested in appointing postdoctoral fellows whose teaching and research agendas are closely aligned with the University’s areas of strength and strategic initiatives in fields where we anticipate future faculty growth. We invite applications from scholars whose research and scholarly interests reflect one or a combination of the following priorities: (1) scholarship that contributes to the understanding of diversity in its multiple forms; (2) strong interest in interdisciplinary research and scholarship or creative work; (3) engagement in partnerships with communities outside of the academy; and (4) integration of teaching and research. We particularly encourage applications from women and individuals from communities that historically have been underrepresented in higher education. The most competitive candidates in last year’s competition combined the fellowship’s three priorities and contributed to increasing the
representation of underrepresented groups in their academic field of study. Please go to http://www.grad.umn.edu/postdocfellowship/recipients/ for information on the research interests of the past fellowship recipients.
Fellows will have a unique opportunity to work directly with the University’s most prominent faculty, including our Regents and Distinguished McKnight Professors. Recognized for exceptional research and teaching, University of Minnesota senior faculty will mentor postdoctoral fellows to establish an independent research agenda and become acclimated to the institutional culture. The purpose of the mentoring relationship is to nurture the fellows’ intellectual development and professional growth to ensure future success in tenure-track academic positions.
Supporting Future Faculty
In addition to the mentoring relationship, fellows will benefit from participating in a series of seminars focused on securing grants, building a successful publication record, developing effective networking skills, fostering multiculturalism in higher education, and sustaining best research and teaching practices. To build intellectual community, fellows and other members of the University will participate in formal and informal events scheduled throughout the year, including a welcome reception and the spring interdisciplinary research symposium, where fellows showcase their work to the University community. Fellows will also join the University’s Postdoctoral Association, an organization that identifiesand addresses issues pertinent to the postdoctoral experience. The mentoring relationship, professional development seminars and intellectual community are intended to prepare fellows for tenure-track faculty positions.
Prospect for Dual Appointments
The University of Minnesota offers an enormous breadth of academic disciplines through leading departments, strong interdisciplinary programs, and thriving research institutes and centers. Fellows will have the advantage of affiliating with one or more units across the University where a strong match can be established between the fellows’ research interests and those of the academic units. Dual appointments are possible for fellows demonstrating productive interdisciplinary research and teaching interests. In addition to conducting research, fellows will teach at least one course per year.
Terms of the Fellowship
For the 2009-2010 academic year, up to four fellowships will be awarded for one-year appointments beginning in September 2009 . Appointments are full-time (40 hours per week). Awards are non-renewable and the minimum in-residence requirement is 9 months. Although stipend amounts will vary by discipline, fellows will receive a minimum annual stipend of $45, 000. Funding for research and travel to professional conferences will be provided in collaboration with the sponsoring academic department or unit. The University also offers subsidized medical and dental insurance coverage. Fellows will be responsible for relocation expenses.
Eligibility
Applications are welcome in all academic disciplines. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The Ph.D. (or comparable terminal degree in professional and artistic fields) must have been awarded within three years prior to the fellowship appointment. Applicants cannot have more than two years of previous postdoctoral experience. Applications are preferred from individuals who received their terminal degrees or postdoctoral training from institutions other than the University of Minnesota.
Application Process
We welcome nominations from University of Minnesota faculty and those at other academic institutions who have close knowledge of promising scholars intending to pursue a faculty career in higher education. We also welcome direct applications from individuals, or a cluster of scholars, who collaborate on research, scholarly or creative projects, as long as each candidate meets the criteria for eligibility. Nomination letters and applications should address the candidate’s scholarly and professional achievements that demonstrate strong potential for success in future faculty positions. Letters of nomination should include the candidate’s curriculum vitae with contact information. Nomination letters and CV should be e-mailed to postdoc@umn.edu.
The application process is on-line. Each applicant must submit the following information in order to be considered for the fellowship:
| (1) |
Completed on-line application form:
http://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=75797 |
| (2) |
Curriculum Vitae |
| (3) |
Cover Letter—state your interest in the fellowship and how your research and teaching interests are aligned with one or more of the University’s priorities (i.e. contributes to the understanding of diversity, demonstrates strong interdisciplinary focus and engages in partnerships with communities outside of the academy). Limit to 2 pages. |
| (4) |
Names and addresses of three referees who will provide reference letters. |
| (5) |
Dissertation abstract (500 words) with research proposal and timeline. Limit to 3 pages. The abstract, research proposal and timeline should be submitted as one document under “additional document 1”. |
| (6) |
List up to 3 departments at the University of Minnesota that you believe would be potential matches with your scholarly interests and research during the fellowship year (e.g. History, Math, Music, etc.). For a list of UMN academic departments, go to: http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/02_acad_coll.php.
Click on the appropriate college related to your area of interest (e.g. college of liberal arts, college of biological sciences, etc.) and then click on the link labeled “departments” or “research” within each college. If you are familiar with any non-departmental academic units (e.g. centers or institutes) that could also serve as an intellectual home during the fellowship residency, you may also list up to 3 such units, in addition to your departmental selections. The list of departments and centers/institutes should be attached as “additional document 2”. |
| (7) |
Describe your experience working with communities that historically have been underrepresented in higher education. If applicable, mention specific organizations or associations with which you have been involved to increase access to higher education for underrepresented groups. Limit to one page. Attach this document as “additional document 3”. |
| (8) |
Sample papers, publications or artistic work (slides, tapes, prints, etc.). Limit to 2 papers/articles or artistic work. Attach the papers, publications/artistic slides as one document under “additional document 4”. |
| (9) |
Three letters of reference from individuals familiar with your scholarly or creative work. Letters should be e-mailed by the referee, as Word or PDF attachments to postdoc@umn.edu. For applicants who have been nominated for the fellowship, the nomination letter counts as one of the reference letters. |
Reference letters or supporting application materials (tapes, prints, etc.) that cannot be attached to the on-line application system should be mailed to:
University of Minnesota
Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
The Graduate School
321 Johnston Hall
101 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Please provide the address where you would like the supporting materials to be returned.
Deadlines (postmarked)
Nomination letters with nominee’s CV - October 1, 2008 (A nomination letter is not required to apply for the fellowship.)
Application, supporting materials, and reference letters - October 31, 2008
Selection Criteria
Fellowship recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:
| (1) |
Evidence of outstanding academic and scholarly achievements or creative work. |
| (2) |
Strong potential for a successful academic career centered on research, scholarship or creative work, and teaching and service. |
| (3) |
Research and teaching interests aligned with one or a combination of the following priorities: |
- Pursuit of interdisciplinary and/or collaborative inquiry.
- Contribution to diversity through research, scholarship, creative work or involvement with underrepresented groups to increase access to higher education.
- Engagement in partnerships with communities outside of the academy.
University of Minnesota ‘s Strong Tradition of Excellence in Research and Service
The University of Minnesota is one of the most comprehensive public universities in the nation and ranks among the most prestigious. It is both the state land-grant university, with a strong tradition of education and public service, and the state's primary research university, with faculty of national and international reputation. Its faculty and graduates have developed innovations that have helped revolutionize medicine, agriculture, engineering and the arts and improved lives around the world. The University forges strong linkages between research and service, creating programs and partnerships in Minnesota and world-wide. These community connections bring University resources directly into communities to address current needs and emerging issues.
For more information about the fellowship program, contact Dr. Noro Andriamanalina at 612-626-4546 or send an e-mail to postdoc@umn.edu.
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