Postdoctoral Fellow in Democracy and Pluralism

Rice University • Houston, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Rice University is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Democracy and Pluralism. This one-year residential fellowship is open to scholars who have earned their PhD within the last five years and whose research expertise aligns with areas such as democracy and civic engagement, religious freedom and pluralism, American constitutional democracy, civil rights movements, political thought, or philosophies of human flourishing and civil society. The fellow will focus on completing a research project, team-teach an undergraduate course with a Rice faculty member, and propose and implement two campus events aimed at fostering constructive dialogue across ideological and intellectual divides, including one in collaboration with the Baker Institute for Public Policy. Recent PhD graduates without current university affiliations will be appointed as Postdoctoral Fellows, while those with current affiliations taking a leave of absence will be appointed as Research Fellows. The program offers a mentored relationship with Rice faculty, structured collaborative relationships with the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence to develop leadership capacity, and membership in the Rice University Academy of Fellows (for postdoctoral positions).

Requirements

• Completed PhD within the last five years or will soon complete a PhD in any discipline or interdisciplinary field.
• Proven ability to conduct original and collaborative research.
• Demonstrated commitment to or strong promise for thoughtfully addressing inequities in their discipline, or inequities in the larger society through their discipline.
• Enthusiasm for leadership, assisting team members and creating a collaborative working environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as oral presentation skills.
• Strong understanding of manuscript and peer review process.
• Organization and time management skills.
• Knowledge of modern research methods, data collection and analyses.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of the subject discipline.
• Writes scholarly papers based on ongoing research and submits them to journals for publication.
• Able to work in a collaborative environment.
• Able to work independently and professionally with minimal supervision and direction.

Nice To Haves

• Research expertise encompasses one or more of the following broad areas: democracy and civic engagement; religious freedom and pluralism; histories of American constitutional democracy; histories of movements for the expansion of civil rights; the history of political thought; and philosophies of human flourishing and its relation to civil society.
• Applicant is strongly encouraged to contact potential faculty mentors and to secure their permission to list them as potential mentors.

Responsibilities

• Focus on the completion of a research project.
• Team-teach an undergraduate course with a Rice faculty member on a topic related to their expertise.
• Propose and implement two events for the campus community that center on fostering constructive dialogue across both ideological and intellectual divides, including one event in collaboration with the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
• Documents, analyzes, and maintains research data.
• Assists with proposal development to obtain research funding.
• Mentors, oversees, and/or trains junior research team members, such as PhD candidates.
• Publishes and presents research findings at national and international conferences.
• Supports project management and collaboration across institutions or disciplines.
• Designs and implements research protocols; adapts new procedures, methods or instrumentation relative to research procedures.
• Provide academic services (i.e. teaching classes) to the department as required.
• Supports the programmatic activities of the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Standard program stipend is $75,000 with benefits.
• Postdoctoral scholars appointed in such areas may receive augmentation from their department.
• Fellows on leave from their universities may bring additional fellowship or university support to meet their ordinary yearly salary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree