"Postdoctoral Instructor in East Asian Art History"

The Center for the Art of East Asia (CAEA) and the Department of Art History at the University of Chicago invite applications for a one-year position (with the possibility to renew for a second year) as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the rank of Instructor, with an expected start date of September 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. We seek a scholar in East Asian art history who will further research related CAEA’s ongoing Dispersed Chinese Art Digitization Project (DCADP) at the University of Chicago.

The holder of this position will conduct DCADP-related research and publish original scholarship under the mentorship of a faculty member; participate in regular colloquia and workshops in the Center and Department of Art History; and teach one course each academic year related to DCADP. The Postdoctoral Instructor is required to be in residence at the University of Chicago Hyde Park campus.

Applicants must have completed all requirements for receipt of the PhD degree in Art History, East Asian Language and Civilizations, Digital Humanities, and/or a related field prior to the start of the appointment and must have no more than five years of cumulative experience working in a research university following receipt of the PhD. We welcome applicants working in all time periods, from pre-modern to contemporary Asian art. Expertise in Chinese art and transnational or cross-regional research interests are especially encouraged.

Applicants must upload the following materials to the University of Chicago’s recruitment website at apply.interfolio.com/181345 by 10:59 PM Central Time/11:59 PM Eastern Time on March 16, 2026:

• CV, including list of applicant’s publications
• Cover letter
• Statement of research and teaching interests, and how they may complement CAEA’s DCADP
• Dissertation abstract and table of contents
• Sample dissertation chapter
• Course proposal with sample ten-week course syllabus and reading list
• One additional writing sample
• The names and contact information of three recommenders who may be asked to provide letters on behalf of the applicant

Questions may be directed to Ellen Larson at ellenlarson@uchicago.edu.

This position is contingent upon budgetary approval.

About DCADP

The Dispersed Chinese Art Digitization Project (DCADP) is an initiative spearheaded by the University of Chicago's Center for the Art of East Asia (CAEA) that uses modern technologies to digitally reconstruct damaged works of art and virtually place these reconstructed models back in their original spatial contexts.

Salary: Postdoctoral Fellow at the rank of Instructor: $70,000; This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment paid over twelve months. The position also includes a relocation allowance for qualifying expenses.