Postdoctoral Fellowship in Africana Studies

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Africana Studies

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring.

• Title:
  
  Postdoctoral Fellowship in Africana Studies
• Appointment Status:
  Non‑Tenure Track
• Department: IU Indianapolis School of Liberal Arts
• Location:
  
  Indianapolis
• Salary: $60,000, 10‑month appointment

CASC and the Africana Studies Program at Indiana University Indianapolis invite applications for a Mellon Foundation–funded Postdoctoral Fellowship linked to the newly established Black Humanities in the Midwest (BHIM) Africana Studies Research Center. The fellow will have the opportunity to be considered for hire as an assistant professor after the second year. We seek an early‑career scholar with expertise in African American/Africana public history, art history in the Black diaspora, or the history of museums or anchor cultural institutions.

This includes scholars who explore the role, history, and transformative impact of museums, Black cultural productions (e.g., photography, film, material culture), and curatorial practice.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in shaping the future direction of the programs in Africana Studies and Museum Studies, teaching specialized courses in public history, Africana Studies, museum studies, and fostering collaborations with museums, community‑based organizations, and Black cultural institutions throughout Indiana and the Midwest.

• Teach two courses per academic year in Africana Studies, History, Museum Studies or other appropriate departments/programs.
• Contribute actively to one or more of BHIM’s three interdisciplinary labs: the Research Development Lab, Applied Humanities Lab, or Humanities in Community Lab.
• Participate in programs, workshops, symposia, and community‑engaged events.
• Reside at the IU Indianapolis campus during the fellowship period, except for research‑related travel.
• Play a role in forwarding the efforts of the Center for Africana Studies and Culture through service to the center.
• Maintain a productive scholarly agenda to transition to a tenure‑track appointment.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. at the time of appointment. Scholars in Africana Studies or affiliated disciplines who can contribute to BHIM’s research labs and work toward the completion of a book manuscript or other scholarly projects are preferred. Current doctoral candidates may apply but must defend their dissertation prior to the start date. The anticipated or confirmed completion date should be noted in the cover letter.

Current doctoral candidates are welcome to apply, provided they will complete the Ph.D. before the start date.

• Cover Letter detailing research, teaching interests, and fit with BHIM and CASC.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Writing Sample (no more than 30 pages).
• Contact information for three references.

Finalists will be asked to submit three letters of reference and provide transcripts for their graduate work.