Mellon Sawyer Seminar Post-Doctoral Scholar

The Simpson Center for the Humanities, in conjunction with the Department of Law, Societies & Justice, at the University of Washington, Seattle, is offering a twelve-month, full-time post-doctoral scholar position from September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2021 in association with an Andrew W. Mellon Sawyer Seminar on Humanitarianisms: Migration and Care through the Global South, led by Arzoo Osanloo (Law, Societies & Justice) and Cabeiri Robinson (Jackson School of International Studies).  Applicants for the position should have demonstrated research interests and a current publication project related to at least one of the three thematic components of the seminar:

Autumn 2020: Decentering Migration, Decolonizing Humanitarianism

Winter 2021: Comparative Humanitarianisms

Spring 2021: Rethinking the Human

The Sawyer Seminar Series is made possible by a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation, with support from the Simpson Center for the Humanities and the Graduate School of the University of Washington. The University of Washington is a public research university located in Seattle, Washington. Ranked No. 14 in the world on the 2018 Academic Ranking of World Universities, the UW educates more than 54,000 students annually. The Simpson Center for the Humanities is one of the largest and most comprehensive humanities centers in the United States and is known internationally for its initiatives in public scholarship and the digital humanities.

Benefits for the post-doctoral scholar will include:

• A twelve-month salary of $6,358/month or $76,296 for the duration of the appointment;
• Insurance coverage for the scholar and dependents with medical, dental and vision eligibility and coverage as detailed here; 
• Research funds of $3,000- for conference travel or other research related expenses;
• Dedicated office space in the Simpson Center for the duration of the appointment.

Responsibilities for the post-doctoral scholar will include:

• Contribute to the intellectual program of the Seminar Series by attending all lectures, workshops, and associated events;
• Lecture on own research project;
• Assist in organizing the lecture series and associated workshops (max. 5 hrs/wk);
• Collaborate on the Spring 2021 publication by authoring or co-authoring a chapter and providing contributors with feedback;
• Complete work on the publication Summer 2021.

To apply, use Interfolio (https://apply.interfolio.com/71402) and include the following items:

• Cover letter highlighting expertise and/or background in a topic related to humanitarianism within the Global South. Candidates should explain how their work will build on or engage with one of the three thematic components of the seminar (Decentering Migration, Decolonizing Humanitarianism; Comparative Humanitarianisms; and Rethinking the Human);
• Proposal (between 5-7 pages in length) detailing the research project to be undertaken during the period and likely outcomes; and
• CV (max 5 pages), including contact information for two scholars who are prepared to provide letters of recommendation;
• Writing Sample (dissertation chapter or a published article);
• We will seek letters of recommendation from the shortlisted candidates.

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• PhD (in hand by June 2020) in a Social Science or Humanities discipline;
• Current project related to the topic of the seminar;
• Specialization/research interests in humanitarianism within the Global South.

Applications received by January 15, 2020 will receive full consideration. Notification will be sent by March 30, 2020. The position is not renewable and is not eligible for tenure.

Application inquiries may be made with Arzoo Osanloo, Associate Professor of Law, Societies & Justice (aosanloo@uw.edu) and Cabeiri Robinson, Associate Professor of International Studies (cdr33@uw.edu).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).