Postdoctoral Research Associate in African American Studies

The Department of African American Studies (AAS) at Princeton University invites applications from recent Ph.D. graduates in all disciplines for up to two postdoctoral research positions. These positions will be awarded for the academic year 2025-2026 to emerging scholars who do not hold academic appointments elsewhere. Postdoctoral Research Associates will devote their residency to writing about race in national or global contexts and, with the approval of the Dean of the Faculty, will teach one semester-long undergraduate elective course. During the semester of teaching, Postdoctoral Research Associates will hold the additional rank of Lecturer. Eligible candidate must have less than three years of post- PhD research experience prior to anticipated start date.

Postdoctoral Research Associates participate in and contribute to the intellectual life of the Department and the University. Responsibilities in addition to teaching include delivering a lecture on their research, participating in the Faculty-Graduate Seminar, and attending colloquia and lectures sponsored by the Department. The Department will also fund a manuscript review hosted by the scholar's AAS faculty mentor. The review entails inviting two senior scholars to come to Princeton to workshop an in-progress book manuscript. During the entire residency, Postdoctoral Research Associates will enjoy access to Firestone Library and to a wide range of activities throughout the University. 

This position is subject to the University's background check policy.

Appointments are for one year.  Applicants cannot be in the process of writing a dissertation at the time of appointment.

A selection committee of Department of African American Studies faculty members evaluates applicants on the basis of:


the significance of their proposed research and its relevance to the purposes of the Department;
the quality of their previous research and their ability to benefit from the activities of the Department;
the contribution they are likely to make to higher education in the future through teaching and writing about race.

How To Apply

Applicants must upload to the online portal the following information by November 15, 2024, 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time: 

1.a curriculum vitae
2.a cover letter
3.a writing sample (written in the last three years, not to exceed 25 pages)
4.a statement of no more than 1,500 words describing the proposed research project
5.contact information for three references (at least one from someone who was not a dissertation supervisor)
6.syllabi for three undergraduate courses
7.teaching evaluations for recent courses

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Candidates must apply online at https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/position/34921. 

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

The work location for these positions is in person, on campus, at Princeton University.

Application deliberations are set to begin on January 15, 2025, and candidates will be notified of their status shortly after.  For more information or questions, please contact:

For more information or questions, please contact:

Shanda Carmichael, Administrative Assistant
609.258.4270
[email protected]