Postdoctoral Fellowship in Africana Studies

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Africana Studies

Department: IU Indianapolis School of Liberal Arts

Location:

Indianapolis

Position Summary:

The CASC and the Africana Studies Program invite applications for a Mellon Foundation–funded Postdoctoral Fellowship linked to the newly established Black Humanities in the Midwest (BHIM) Africana Studies Research Center. With a scholarly record meeting IU’s academic standards for tenure-track positions, the postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to be considered for hire as an assistant professor after the second year.

We are seeking an early career scholar with expertise in African American/Africana public history, art history in the Black diaspora, or history of museums or anchor cultural institutions. There is interest in scholars exploring the role, history, and transformative impact of museums, Black cultural productions (e.g., photography, film, material culture), and curatorial practice in African American and African-diasporic culture and life.

The successful candidate will shape the future direction of programs in Africana Studies and Museum Studies, teach specialized courses in public history, Africana Studies, museum studies, and foster 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.

Fellows are expected to be in residence at the IU Indianapolis campus during the fellowship period, apart from research-related travel. The postdoc will also need to have a productive scholarly agenda to transition to a tenure-track appointment.

• Hold a PhD at the time of the appointment (or be a current doctoral candidate expected to defend by start date).
• Specialized expertise in Africana Studies or affiliated disciplines, with a record of scholarship that can contribute to BHIM’s research labs.
• Demonstrated ability to develop a scholarship plan toward completion of a book manuscript or other scholarly projects.

• Cover Letter detailing research, teaching interests, and fit with BHIM and CASC.
• Writing Sample (no more than 30 pages).
• Contact information for three references.
• Resumes/CVs, transcript of graduate work.

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

Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to Search Committee Chair Joseph Tucker Edmonds: jtuckere.

For Best Consideration Date: 04/01/2026

Expected

Start Date:

08/01/2026

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).