Research Associate - Center for Puerto Rican Studies (Multiple Positions)

GENERAL DUTIES

Conducts academic research in connection with CUNY programs; may assist faculty, staff, and students in conducting research and lead research efforts involving others.

• Develops research plans and proposals and participates in acquiring funding
• Collects, analyzes, and assures validity of data
• Writes progress reports; writes and publishes findings
• Collaborates with internal and external colleagues
• Adheres to standards for safety and hygiene and ethical conduct as defined by the University and relevant outside parties

CONTRACT TITLE

Research Associate

FLSA

Exempt

CAMPUS SPECIFIC INFORMATION

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO), the only University-based research institute in the United States devoted to the interdisciplinary study of the Puerto Rican experience, seeks academic researchers with expertise in any of the wide range of academic fields that make up Puerto Rican Studies.

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies invites applications for the 2026-2027 cohort of the CENTRO Research Associate Program. This program convenes scholars, writers, and faculty in a cohort model that responds to an annual theme. Research Associate positions are held for one year (September 2026-August 2027). Research Associates will spend their time at CENTRO working on a specific research project and will be required to attend weekly seminar meetings, as well as additional workshops, and public events. Research Associates will also join the 2026-2027 cohort of the CENTRO Rooted & Relational Research Initiative funded by the Mellon Foundation.

The 2026-2027 theme, Black Cuerpas: Race, Body Politics & Culture, invites researchers who engage in the study of the ways that race, sex, gender, and body politics shape the histories and lived experiences of Boricuas across both the diaspora and the archipelago. We underscore this iteration of bodies, cuerpas, in order to pay close attention to the interplay of bodies, sex, race, and gendered language. Because Black Puerto Rican women and Afro-descendant communities face an exacerbating set of economic, ecological, educational, medical, laboral, penal, and femicide crises that are overlapping and interconnected and which impact individuals and communities in increasingly disconcerting and often life-threatening ways. This theme asks: What structures of power created these dynamics and what incisive and creative inroads have Afro-Puerto Rican communities across the archipelago and diaspora made to address and transform these conditions?

Possible Research Topics of interest to potential applicants:

• Health; maternal and fetal mortality
• Histories of freedom; slavery; cimarronaje
• Racialized policing; state violence; legal studies
• Feminisms; solidarity movements; relationality
• Genealogy; archival study; public/digital archives
• Anti-racism movements; colorism
• Queer/cuir and trans experiences
• Embodiment; labor; care work; community building
• Spiritualities; religious histories
• Media; digital humanities; public humanities
• Food culture; culinary histories
• Music; sonic; performance; popular culture
• Mapping; geographies; cartographies; land practices
• Education; pedagogy; participatory action research
• Literary study; poetics; creative writing
• Visual arts (especially performance and printmaking)

We invite applications from scholars in all fields of study and disciplines, including creative writing and visual arts. If you have any questions about these positions, please email them to programs@centropr.app

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Doctoral Degree in a related field and demonstrated research ability.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have experience in the implementation of the responsibilities described above as well as familiarity with interdisciplinary research and methodologies.

COMPENSATION

Salary commensurate with academic accomplishments and experience ($58,890 - $77,500).

BENEFITS

CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted online by accessing the CUNY Portal on City University of New York job website www.cuny.edu/employment. To search for this vacancy, click on SEARCH ALL POSTINGS and in SEARCH JOBS field, enter the Job Opening ID number 32320.

Click on the "APPLY NOW" button and follow the application instructions. Current users of the site should access their established accounts; New users should follow the instructions to set up an account.

Please have your documents available to attach into the application before you begin. Note, the required material must be uploaded as ONE document under CV/ Resume (do not upload individual files for a cover letter, references, etc.). The document must be in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .rtf, or text format- and name of file should not exceed ten (10) characters - also DO NOT USE SYMBOLS (such as accents (é, è, (â, î or ô), ñ, ü, ï , -, \_ or ç)).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please include:

• Cover letter describing related qualifications, experience, and proposed research activities. (Applicants who are still ABD (all but dissertation) should include details about scheduled defense date)
• Current CV
• Writing sample related to the position (submit 20-25 pages)
• One page course proposal
• Contact information for 3 professional references.

Upload all documents as ONE single file-- PDF format preferred.

CLOSING DATE

The search will remain open until the position is filled. The committee will begin reviewing complete applications on July 6, 2026. Applications submitted after the deadline will only be considered if the position/s remain open after the initial round.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.