Bridge to the Faculty Postdoctoral Fellowship for Diverse Faculty Search Description:

The University of Illinois at Chicago invites applications for a Bridge to the Faculty Postdoctoral Research Associate in Museum and Exhibition Studies, to begin August 16, 2020.

Program Mission: Museum and Exhibition Studies at UIC (MUSE) is an interdisciplinary graduate program with a social justice focus. MUSE emphasizes the evolving social and political contexts of today’s cultural institutions, including museums of art, anthropology, architecture, history, nature, science, youth and contemporary culture, and provides students with the intellectual and professional engagements essential to careers in diverse positions, including curators, exhibition developers, gallery directors, museum educators, and social media directors.

Purpose: Bridge to the Faculty is a new postdoctoral program designed to recruit scholars with the goal of transitioning them to faculty members after two years. Successful post-docs will have the opportunity to transition to faculty starting in the 2022-2023 academic year. This recruitment initiative aims to attract and retain promising scholars to UIC as well as diversify our faculty. Post docs will participate in a mentoring experience, with the opportunity to meet other post docs and faculty through the Diverse Faculty Learning Community (Office of Diversity and the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs).

The Bridge to the Faculty Program is funded by the Chancellor’s Office and administered through the Office of the Provost.

Context: Located in the heart of one of the most vibrant cities in the United States, UIC is a comprehensive urban public research (R1) university with a diverse student body and a strong tradition of support for difference and equality. Part of the University of Illinois land grant higher education system, UIC is among the nation’s top five most diverse campuses; it is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). UIC’s undergraduate population is currently 26.4% Hispanic, 23.1% Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander, 7.9% Black, 35.8% White, 9.3% International, and 4.3% other/unknown. 53% of UIC’s students are low income, and 36% are Pell eligible.

 UIC’s College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts and its School of Art and Art History are committed to a culturally diverse faculty and student body; engaged scholarship; and social justice initiatives. Museum and Exhibition Studies (MUSE) is a thriving graduate program located within the School of Art and Art History.

Successful candidates must be committed to working with diverse student and community populations. Fellows will teach one class each year (these may include both undergraduate and graduate students) and participate in program activities. The fellowship is designed to encourage scholarly publications.

This is a full-time position and includes a competitive salary and benefits package. Year 1 - $57,000 (2020-2021); Year 2 - $59,000 (2021-2022).

Eligibility: Doctoral candidates and recent graduates undertaking research focused on museums, collections and archives, cultural centers and heritage sites, and related topics. Applicants may be from any relevant discipline, including but not limited to: American Studies, Anthropology, Communication Studies, Cultural Studies, Design, Disability Studies, Ethnic Studies, Gender & Women’s Studies, Heritage Studies, History, Indigenous Studies, Labor Studies, Memory Studies, Museum Studies. Experience with collections, exhibitions, and IRB/Human Subjects Review valued. PhD must be in hand by August 16, 2020.

To Apply:

Applicants should submit materials to https://jobs.uic.edu/job-board/job-details?jobID=124679

1. Cover letter addressing interest in the Postdoctoral position, MUSE and UIC; and approach to museum studies and practice. The University of Illinois is committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment. Applicants are requested to include in their cover letter information about how they will further this goal.

2. CV

3. A letter of recommendation from dissertation chair or faculty advisor/mentor is required. Please direct your letter writers to send their letter of recommendation directly to Anthony Stepter at astepter@uic.edu.

4. A writing sample (dissertation proposal or chapter, or publication)

All application materials must be submitted by December 15, 2019.