Posting Details
Position Details
Title: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Africana Studies
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Africana Studies Appointment Status: Non-Tenure Track
Department: IU Indianapolis School of Liberal Arts
Location: Indianapolis
Position Summary
CASC and the Africana Studies Program at Indiana University Indianapolis invite applications for a Mellon Foundation-funded Postdoctoral Fellowship linked to the newly established Black Humanities in the Midwest BHIM Africana Studies Research Center. With a scholarly record meeting IUs academic standards for tenure-track positions, the postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to be considered for hire as an assistant professor after the second year.
We are seeking an early career scholar with expertise in African AmericanAfricana public history art history in the Black diaspora or the history of museums or anchor cultural institutions. There is specific interest in scholars who explore the role history and transformative impact of museums Black cultural productions e.g. photography film material culture and curatorial practice in African American and African-diasporic culture and life.
The successful candidate will be instrumental in shaping the future direction of the programs in Africana Studies and Museum Studies teaching specialized courses in public history Africana Studies museum studies and fostering collaborations with museums community-based organizations and Black cultural institutions throughout Indiana and the Midwest.
The BHIM fellow will Teach two courses per academic year in Africana Studies History Museum Studies or other appropriate departmentsprograms Contribute actively to one or more of BHIMs three interdisciplinary labs the Research Development Lab Applied Humanities Lab or Humanities in Community Lab and Participate in programs workshops symposia and community-engaged events.
Fellows are expected to be in residence at the IU Indianapolis campus during the fellowship period apart from research-related travel. The successful candidate will be expected to play a role in forwarding the efforts of the Center for Africana Studies and Culture by contributing service to the center. The postdoc will also need to have a productive scholarly agenda in order to successfully transition to a tenure-track appointment.
Indiana University is fully committed to provide mentoring resources and structures to support postdoctoral fellows as they seek to meet the scholarly expectations necessary to be appointed to a tenure-track position. The offer of a tenure-track position requires a positive evaluation and approval following the usual governance procedures and policies of the relevant department the School of Liberal Arts and Indiana University.
As a Carnegie Research 1 campus the School of Liberal Arts requires all new tenure-track hires to seek promotion and tenure based on overall excellence in research.
As the states premier urban research institution IU Indianapolis is a dynamic campus of over 20000 students and has been recognized for excellence in civic engagement and community partnerships. IU Indianapolis is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research teaching and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students staff and faculty.
Basic Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD at the time of the appointment. We seek scholars in Africana Studies or affiliated disciplines as outlined in above description who can contribute to BHIMs research labs and work towards the completion of their book manuscript or other scholarly projects.
Current doctoral candidates are welcome to apply but must defend their dissertation prior to the start date. Please note the anticipated or confirmed completion date in the cover letter.
Department Contact for Questions
Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to Search Committee Chair Joseph Tucker Edmonds jtuckereiu.edu.
Additional Qualifications
Salary and Rank: $60,000 10-month appointment
Special Instructions
Applicants should submit the following at https://indiana.peopleadmin.com.
Cover Letter detailing research teaching interests and fit with BHIM and CASC Curriculum Vitae Writing Sample no more than 30 pages Contact Information for Three References
Finalists will be asked to submit three letters of reference and provide transcripts for their graduate work.
For Best Consideration Date: 04/01/2026 Expected Start Date: 08/01/2026 Posting Number: IU-101507-2026
Supplemental Questions
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