Postdoctoral Fellow in Science and Technology Studies

Department: WCAS Science in Human Culture

The Science in Human Culture Program (SHC) at Northwestern University invites applications for two-year postdoctoral fellowships in the contextual study of science, technology, or medicine, to run September 1, 2027 - August 31, 2029. Applications are welcome from scholars who study science, technology, or medicine in any region of the world, in any time period, and from any of a range of historical, philosophical, sociological, anthropological, or literary/cultural perspectives.

Each Fellow will be affiliated with the SHC program and an appropriate disciplinary department in Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (e.g. History, English, Sociology, etc.). Fellows will pursue a program of independent scholarship under the guidance of a faculty mentor identified after selection.

Fellows will also design and teach two undergraduate courses each year over the three-quarter-long teaching year (typically one seminar and one lecture course to be listed by the affiliated departments) and help organize and run the SHC visiting lecturer series. They are expected to be active participants in intellectual activities in both SHC and their affiliated departments and to deliver one public lecture each year.

Applicants with a Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree) must have completed their degree after September 1, 2022. Applicants without a Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree) must complete all the requirements for the degree before September 1, 2027. At time of application, the applicant must be available for the full two-year term. In addition to salary, the Fellow is eligible for $3,500 per year to fund research and conference travel, and up to $1,500 for allowable relocation expenses in the first year.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. We expect to hire two fellows who will hold concurrent two-year fellowships.

To ensure full consideration, all application materials other than letters of recommendation must be received by December 1, 2026. Letters of recommendation are due no later than December 8, 2026. Because your references will not receive submission instructions until you submit your completed application, we recommend that you submit your application well before the deadline.

Salary

The expected base pay range for this position is $63,480 - $65,000.

Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability;

internal comparators; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at Northwestern Benefits to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.