With the generous support of the Tang Center for Early China, the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University is pleased to invite applications for a one-year Postdoctoral Research Scholar position in Early China Studies, to start on September 1, 2021, and end on August 31, 2022.

The Tang Center Postdoctoral position is intended to foster the academic careers of recent PhDs whose area of research is Early China Studies. In addition to pursuing his or her own research, the successful candidate is expected to teach one course per semester (1 graduate seminar and 1 undergraduate lecture), give a lecture at the Tang Center, and take part in the regular events of the Department and the Tang Center. It is envisioned that the Postdoctoral Fellow will continue his or her academic career in teaching and research on Early China after the postdoctoral position concludes.

Compensation includes a competitive annual salary, and health benefits. The scholar will be provided with office space, access to the library system, and other related administrative assistance. Review of applications will begin on June 1, 2021 and continue until the position is filled.

Application Deadline
All application materials (including letters of reference) must be received on or before May 30, 2021. Candidates may be invited for an interview to be held by phone or video. All evaluations made in connection with applications received are confidential.

Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must have completed their Ph.D. degrees (defense and deposit of the dissertation) by June 30, 2021, but no earlier than July 1, 2010. Candidates who do not yet hold a Ph.D. but expect it by June 30, 2021, should provide a letter from their home institution confirming their schedule to completion.

Application Requirements:

  • Cover letter
  •  10 – 15 page double-spaced research project proposal
    • Proposal content should include the following:
      • The significance of the project
      • Comprehensive list of sources
      • Method of study
      • Potential contributions of the proposed research
  • Two letters of recommendation (in English)
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • A one-page statement of teaching interests, along with two syllabi, one of which is for a graduate seminar course of his or her own design, and the other for the undergraduate lecture course: “Introduction to East Asian Civilizations: China” (note: Columbia courses normally meet a total of two or three hours per week throughout a fourteen-week semester).
  • A writing sample (may be a chapter from his or her dissertation).

Application materials should be submitted by email to Nicole Roldan (nr2746@columbia.edu), indicating “Attention: Tang Center Postdoctoral Fellowship Application – [Your Name]” in the subject line. Letters of recommendation (in English) may be emailed directly by your recommenders to Nicole Roldan (nr2746@columbia.edu), indicating “Attention: Recommendation Letter for Tang Center Postdoctoral Fellowship – [Name of Postdoctoral Applicant]” in the subject line.

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