Postdoctoral Fellow

Tulane • New Orleans, LA

6h • Onsite

About The Position

The Doris Z. Stone Postdoctoral Fellowship supports emerging scholars’ professional development, enriches the research environment of the Middle American Research Institute (MARI), and encourages intellectual exchange within its academic community. The fellowship supports innovative anthropological research in Mesoamerica or Central America, with a particular commitment to early-career scholars from diverse backgrounds, especially historically or geographically underrepresented or Indigenous groups.

For this fellowship cycle, the research focus is epigraphy: deciphering, analyzing, and interpreting Maya hieroglyphic writing and/or other Mesoamerican writing systems. Relevant work may address inscriptions and their historical, political, and archaeological contexts; iconography and text-image relationships; historical linguistics; scribal practice and the materiality of writing; or digital and computational methods for documenting and analyzing inscriptions. Research integrating epigraphy with archaeology, linguistics, or art history is especially welcome. Use of MARI collections, archives, or library and a strong fieldwork component are encouraged. Research aligned with MARI’s broader mission to investigate Indigenous history, languages, and cultures; steward archaeological and ethnological collections; and develop public education programs is also welcome.

The Middle American Research Institute and Stone Center for Latin American Studies invite applications for a one-year fellowship for the 2027–2028 academic year, renewable for a second year based on performance and available funding. Fellows are appointed within the Stone Center and housed at MARI. Selection considers intellectual merit, potential impact of research and teaching, and alignment with MARI’s strategic goals. The ideal candidate’s research complements areas of strength among Tulane faculty associated with the Institute.

This is a full-time, residential fellowship with a salary of $55,000 plus benefits. Travel and moving expenses are not covered. Fellows are expected to participate fully in the intellectual life of MARI and the Stone Center, offer an advanced interdisciplinary seminar during one semester each year, present their research at least once every two semesters, and advise undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students.

Applicants must have received a Ph.D. no earlier than May 2022 and not currently hold a tenure-track position, or expect to complete a Ph.D. by May 2027. Preference is given to candidates who have not recently accessed Tulane University’s resources and whose research would benefit from doing so. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong organizational and interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication, and the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple projects.

Application materials include a curriculum vitae; cover letter describing research interests, teaching and administrative experience, and contributions to the Center’s interdisciplinary mission; graduate transcript; two recommendation letters; writing sample; proposal to teach at least one course or seminar; and teaching evaluations, if available. The application deadline is March 1, 2027.

Requirements

• Either have received a Ph.D. no earlier than May 2022 and not currently hold a tenure-track position, or expect to complete a Ph.D. by May 2027.
• Demonstrate strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Be able to collaborate effectively across multiple projects.

Nice To Haves

• Research integrating epigraphy with archaeology, linguistics, or art history.
• Research that uses MARI’s collections, archives, or library.
• A strong fieldwork component.
• Research aligned with MARI’s mission to investigate Indigenous history, languages, and cultures; steward archaeological and ethnological collections; or develop public educational programs.
• Preference for candidates who have not recently accessed Tulane University’s resources and whose research would benefit from doing so.

Responsibilities

• Engage fully in the intellectual life of MARI and the Stone Center for Latin American Studies.
• Offer an advanced interdisciplinary seminar during one semester each year.
• Present research at least once every two semesters.
• Advise undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students.
• Conduct research aligned with the fellowship’s epigraphy focus and MARI’s mission.

Benefits

• Benefits are offered in addition to the $55,000 salary; specific benefits are not listed.

What This Job Offers

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