The Department of Government at Cornell University invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship (appointment title: Postdoctoral Associate). We will consider outstanding applicants in all areas of political science whose research and teaching relates to the broad question of political disagreement, such as theoretical questions associated with it, its origins or bases, how the political process and/or institutions can manage, mitigate, channel, or otherwise deal with political disagreement, and/or the implications of such disagreement. We are particularly interested in applicants committed to enriching the undergraduate teaching mission of the College of Arts & Sciences.
The first year of appointment will run August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027; the second year will run August 1, 2027 to July 31, 2028. In the fall semester of each year, fellows will lead two discussion sections in a 7 week long “Disagreement” course taught by a Cornell instructor; the second half (7 weeks) of the fall semester will be free of teaching duties. In the spring semester of each year, fellows will offer one first-year writing seminar and one upper-level undergraduate seminar on topics to be determined by the fellows in consultation with the department chair. Fellows will be expected to highlight disagreements, debates, or controversies in their teaching.
Fellows are expected to be in residence for the term of the appointment and to take an active role in the intellectual life of the Government Department, the College of Arts & Sciences, and Cornell University. Fellows will be provided with a workspace and assigned a faculty mentor upon their arrival in the department. This mentor, together with the chair and other faculty, will offer feedback on scholarship and provide professional guidance.
Fellows will be provided an annual salary of $75,000, full benefits, and a research account of $4,000 per year. Eligibility is limited to candidates whose PhD will be conferred by August 1, 2026, or was conferred not more than three years prior, August 1, 2023.
Application Procedures: The following application materials must be submitted via Academic Jobs Online by April 17, 2026.
1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Course proposal with sample syllabus for upper-level undergraduate course
4. Teaching evaluations
5. One article-length writing sample
6. Three letters of recommendation. Please ask referees to upload their letters directly through the link provided by Academic Jobs Online. At least one letter should address teaching qualifications.
7. In a statement of one page or less, applicants should share their experiences and/or approaches (past, current, or future) to fostering learning, research, service, or outreach in a diverse community.
Further Info:
Pay Range:
$62,232.00 - $88,745.00
Pay Ranges:
The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
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