Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship

Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is enriched by scholars whose backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences reflect the broad range of our global society. The Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship supports promising researchers and educators whose work and life experiences strengthen academic excellence and contribute to a more inclusive, engaged scholarly community. Fellows receive dedicated time and institutional support to advance their research and prepare for long-term academic careers.

This program reflects CU Boulder's commitment to fostering an intellectually vibrant environment where a wide range of voices and ideas can thrive. Through faculty mentoring, professional development, and academic networking, fellows develop the skills and connections needed to launch successful academic careers.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship Recipients

• Participate in campus life;
• Focus full-time on research/scholarship without teaching and additional employment;
• Meet regularly with mentor(s); and
• Attend Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Postdoctoral Association of Colorado Boulder (PAC Boulder) events.

Tenured or Tenure-Track Faculty Mentors

• Identify common or complementary research, scholarly or creative work interests and agree to mentor the fellow;
• Assist the fellow to establish a visible, active presence in the department;
• Meet regularly with the fellow one-on-one and create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) with the fellow to track career progress;
• Encourage the fellow to attend professional development and networking activities offered by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Career Services, PAC Boulder and other campus units;
• Encourage the fellow to present at conferences and/or symposia;
• Help the fellow network with other mentors, particularly those of various backgrounds and disciplines to help foster a well-rounded experience; and
• Provide support and guidance in the fellow's work while allowing a degree of autonomy; and
• Advise the fellow about the job market and help facilitate connections.

Department

• Commit that, contingent on available funds and if the primary unit has a strategic need in the postdoctoral fellow's area of scholarly and creative work, it will conduct a national search for a tenure-track faculty position in that area, for which the fellow could apply. The position would begin at the end of the postdoctoral period;
• Welcome the fellow into departmental activities such as colloquia, seminars, faculty meetings and social gatherings;
• Onboard fellows like any new hire and provide space, technology, supplies and other necessary resources; and
• Hire the fellow under the Postdoctoral Associate (1312) job code and coordinate offer letters with the HR Research Service Center.

Deadlines and Key Dates

• Online Portal Opens:
  August 2026
• Final date to receive applications (all materials, including reference letters):
  November 2, 2026
• College/School Submits Applicants to cpfellows:
  December 15, 2026
• Final Selection Committee Decisions:
  February 2027

Evaluation and Selection

Applications are reviewed in three stages and applicants are assessed based on academic accomplishments, personal statement, recommendation letters, prospective scholarly contributions and a successful academic career.

• Stage 1:
  Faculty in the proposed home department (e.g., chairs, mentors) discuss and rank applicants.
• Stage 2:
  By December 15, each college or school (e.g., the dean or their designee) reviews departmental recommendations and may nominate a limited number of applicants to advance to the campus review. Up to three applicants from the College of Arts and Sciences, up to two applicants from the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the College of Media,…