Taft Postdoctoral Fellowship, College of Arts & Sciences

Job Overview

Taft Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2026–28

The Charles Phelps Taft Research Center at the University of Cincinnati (UC) is pleased to announce a search for a 2026–28 Taft Postdoctoral Fellow. Scholars who received or will receive their PhD between May 2021 and June 2026 from any field or related field represented by our 15 member units (Africana Studies; Anthropology; School of Communication, Film, and Media Studies; Economics; English; Asian, East European & German Studies; History; Journalism; Judaic Studies; Mathematical Sciences; Philosophy; School of Public and International Affairs; Romance and Arabic Languages & Literatures; Sociology; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies) are invited to apply.

The purpose of this Fellowship is to provide emergent, interdisciplinary scholars with time to further their work in a cross-disciplinary setting, mentoring from faculty members in their fields, and opportunities to develop public-facing programming related to their research. We are particularly interested in scholars whose work can speak to our 2026–27 theme Counter, which explores questions of quantification, representation, and opposition, asking what kinds of accounting the current moment demands, as well as reflections and responses to what the humanities are up against.

This is a two-year appointment with an annual salary of $60,000. The position includes a $5,000 annual research budget and health insurance, as well as manuscript development and other professional support. In the first year, the Fellow will teach one course, a topical seminar related to the annual Center theme. In the second year, they will teach two courses, one for the Center, and one in collaboration with a Taft unit. Other responsibilities include serving on the Thematic Programming Committee; participating in the collegial life of the Center, which sponsors lectures, conferences, and colloquia; helping to develop and coordinate public engagement and community outreach events; and giving an annual public presentation. The Fellow will be provided with an office at the Center and is expected to spend the academic year (August–May) in residence at UC.

Essential Functions

• Conduct research in one or more Taft fields
• Prepare research for publication
• Disseminate research as appropriate to their field(s)
• Keep informed of developments in their field(s) to maintain and enhance professional expertise
• Engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities
• Participate in Taft programming and events, as agreed upon with the Director
• Teach one course (or equivalent) in year one, and two in year two.

Required Education

• PhD in any field or related field represented by of our 15 member units: Africana Studies; Anthropology; School of Communication, Film, and Media Studies; Economics; English; Asian, East European & German Studies; History; Journalism; Judaic Studies; Mathematical Sciences; Philosophy; School of Public and International Affairs; Romance and Arabic Languages & Literatures; Sociology; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Application Process

• We will begin reviewing applications on March 31, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.
• Qualified and interested applicants must apply online.
• In addition to the online application, please include: a cover letter that includes a statement of current research interests and a tentative plan for how you would engage with the Center’s annual theme Counter, including ideas for courses, events, speakers, and programming; a curriculum vitae; and a writing sample (e.g., dissertation chapter, journal article, draft of work in progress).
• Applicants should also arrange for the submission of two confidential letters of recommendation to be sent to: taft@uc.edu, and put “Letter of recommendation for [applicant’s name]” in the message title.
• Visa eligibility: This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship. Foreign national scholars will be appointed under J-1 visa during the two-year fellowship.
• Interviews will be held during the second half of April 2026 via Zoom.