Teaching Fellow in the Social Sciences

The Social Sciences Division invites applications from current and recent University of Chicago graduate students in the Division for a competitive two-year program designed to enhance their pedagogical skills and research profiles. Candidates should demonstrate excellence in their original scholarship, as well as in teaching. Successful candidates will be appointed as Teaching Fellows either in a department, program, or one of the Division’s M.A. programs (Committee on International Relations, Master of Arts Program in Social Sciences, or the Master of Arts in Computational Social Science). Teaching Fellows appointed in a department/program will teach 4 courses per academic year, usually a combination of general education “Core” courses and courses in majors and programs that relate to Fellows’ expertise. Teaching Fellows appointed in an M.A. program will teach 2-3 courses and have other responsibilities equivalent to 1-2 courses.

Fellows will also participate in a structured program of professional development under the supervision of the Faculty Director of the Social Sciences Teaching Fellows program, the Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning (CCTL), and their faculty mentor in a relevant Social Sciences Division department. The starting salary for AY23-24 will be $49,536. Each Fellow will be provided with a work space, library privileges, and access to career service support through UChicago Grad. Fellows must be in-residence on campus during the three quarters of the academic year. Teaching Fellows positions are full-time and allow Fellows time to pursue their research agendas and opportunities for career advancement. During fall, winter, and spring quarters Teaching Fellows are prohibited from accepting any other on or off-campus employment. Any additional summer work must be pre-approved by the Provost’s Office before the start of the additional job. The terms and conditions of employment for this position are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the University.

Notification and Start of Program: Successful Teaching Fellows and alternates will be notified in March 2023. The Fellow’s two-year appointment will begin Autumn Quarter 2023. Appointment is contingent upon successful completion of the PhD. Candidates must graduate no later than August 2023, and no earlier than August 2022. Teaching Fellows must have an appropriate work visa in order to begin their appointment.

Program Eligibility: In order to be eligible for the Teaching Fellows in the Social Sciences program (TFSS) applicants must:

Applications must be submitted through Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/117734. The application deadline is January 13, 2023, 11:59pm Eastern Time. Early submission is recommended.  Each applicant must include the following materials:

Additionally, the applicant must arrange for three reference letters, as indicated below

1. A reference letter from the Department Chair (submitted directly to Interfolio), providing a brief statement affirming that the candidate is in good standing in the doctoral program and promises to fulfill the pedagogical and intellectual aims of the Teaching Fellow program;

2. A reference letter from the doctoral advisor (submitted directly to Interfolio), providing 1) assessment of the applicant’s scholarship and teaching, including the role this fellowship will play in supporting the applicant’s qualifications for the job market; 2) confirmation of the applicant’s progress to timely completion of degree for participation in the program;

3. A reference letter from the proposed faculty mentor (submitted directly to Interfolio), providing affirmation of the faculty member’s commitment to mentoring the fellow in his or her professional development. If an applicant has a compelling reason for choosing their doctoral advisor as their mentor, the doctoral advisor should submit a second letter briefly explaining why they are best suited to serve as the fellow’s mentor.

Selection Process: All applications will be reviewed by the TFSS committee. The selection process will include interviews in February, 2023. Those contacted for interviews will be asked to submit their dissertation in present form at that point, as well as a plan for dissertation completion.  Interviewees may also be asked to submit teaching materials.

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity .

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination .

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email [email protected] with their request.