University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Interdisciplinary Informatics
Application Deadline - November 26, 2008
Fellowship Description
Purpose
The University of Minnesota launched a comprehensive interdisciplinary informatics program (http://www.informatics.umn.edu/index.htm) encompassing health informatics, computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, and physical and computational sciences, as well as emerging fields in the social and environmental sciences. The University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Fellowship in Interdisciplinary Informatics will be supported by this university-wide initiative to attract promising scholars in the broad field of informatics with potential to pursue future faculty positions at the University of Minnesota and at other top research universities.
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. We invite applications from individuals who will have received the Ph.D. by September 2009 with research and scholarly interests reflecting a combination of the following priorities: (1) strong interest in interdisciplinary research and scholarship in one of the areas of interdisciplinary informatics; (2) strong interest in a career that integrates research and education; (3) commitment to fostering the understanding of diversity in its multiple forms; and (4) engagement in partnerships with multiple communities inside and outside of the academy, including across the campuses of the University of Minnesota. We particularly encourage applications from women and individuals from communities that historically have been underrepresented in higher education.
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 in a collaborative environment and deepen the pedagogical knowledge to become effective teachers in this emerging field. 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, workshops, and panel discussions focused on applying and interviewing for a tenure track position, securing grants, building a successful publication record, developing effective networking skills, fostering multiculturalism in higher education, building successful research collaborations, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, teaching and learning in higher education, ethics in research and teaching, navigating a research university, and sustaining best research and teaching practices. To build an 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 identifies and 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
Fellowships will be awarded for one-year (12 months) appointments beginning in September 2009 with the possibility of a second year based on performance. Appointments are full-time with minimum in-residence requirement of 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
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The Ph.D. 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, 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 umiipd@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 at:
http://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=75843
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(2) |
Curriculum Vitae |
(3) |
Cover Letter—state your interest in the fellowship, which subdiscipline you most closely identify, briefly describe the kind of project you would be interested in and which faculty or group of faculty your interests most closely align, and how your research and teaching interests are aligned with the four priorities of the University listed under “Purpose.” 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 for the fellowship year. 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 academic departments and up to 3 non-departmental academic units (e.g. centers or institutes) that could also serve as an intellectual home during the fellowship residency at the University of Minnesota that you believe would be potential matches with your scholarly interests and research during the fellowship year. For a list of UMN academic units on the five campuses, go to:
UMTC: http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/02_acad_coll.php
UMD: http://www.d.umn.edu/academics/
UMR: http://www.r.umn.edu/19_BICB.htm
UMC: http://www.umcrookston.edu/academics/
UMM: http://www.morris.umn.edu/academic/
The list of departments and centers/institutes should be attached as “additional document 2.” |
(7) |
Explain your commitment to fostering the understanding of diversity in its multiple forms. If applicable, describe your experience working with communities that historically have been underrepresented in higher education, or 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) |
Reprints or preprints of recent publications. Limit to 2 papers/articles. Attach the papers/publications 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 umiipd@umn.edu. For applicants who have been nominated for the fellowship, the nomination letter counts as one of the reference letters. |
Deadlines
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 – November 26, 2008
Selection Criteria
Fellowship recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:
(1) |
Evidence of outstanding academic and scholarly achievements. |
(2) |
Strong potential for a successful academic career centered on research, scholarship, and teaching and service. |
(3) |
Research and teaching interests aligned with the four stated priorities of the University listed under “Purpose.” |
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 umiipd@umn.edu.
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