(30/11/2022) PostDoc – University of Minnesota: Race, Journalism, Media, and Democracy 

Position Announcement
President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP)
Postdoctoral Fellow in Race, Journalism, Media, and Democracy

Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication
College of Liberal Arts
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

As part of a continuing commitment to build a culturally diverse intellectual community and advancing scholars from underrepresented groups in higher education (including, but not limited to, individuals from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (“BIPOC”), and others), the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota is pleased to announce its participation in the President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, made possible by the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, the Office of Equity and Diversity, the Office of the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

As part of the University of California Partnership for Faculty Diversity, the goal of the University of Minnesota program is to offer a rewarding postdoctoral experience that includes the possibility of a transition to a tenure-track faculty position after one or two years. The university seeks applicants whose research, practice, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education and at the University of Minnesota.

At the University of Minnesota, postdoctoral associates are academic employees who conduct research and/or advance their artistic praxis and are supported by a network of mentors who will welcome fellows to our schools/departments, partner with them on advancing their research agenda/body of work, expose them to new research techniques and/or practices, work towards their full integration into the program, and connect them to resources beyond their home departments. This one-year fellowship is renewable for a second year. Renewing for a second year has been the norm with previous President’s Postdoctoral Fellows at the University of Minnesota.

About the Position

The goal of this Postdoctoral Research Fellowship position in the Hubbard School is to provide advanced research and training opportunities for journalism studies focused scholars studying contemporary problems in media and democracy, race and news media, non-profit journalism and/or journalism and social media platforms.

This is a 100% research position that is renewable as part of the President’s Postdoctoral Program. The successful candidate will be considered by the Hubbard School for a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor position for the 2024-2025 academic year.

When applying for the University-wide position, please specify your field and interest when applying to the position in the Hubbard School, with an understanding that the school of journalism and mass communication is particularly interested in fellows who can leverage their specific expertise in concert with other members of the Minnesota Journalism Center, Center for the Study of Political Psychology, or other similar interdisciplinary centers within the College of Liberal Arts.

Applicants will not be expected to teach but may do so by overload assignment after the first term of the fellowship year. Ideal candidates will demonstrate the potential to teach media and democracy-related courses in the School, including but not limited to the topics of diversity and media, media and politics, global communication, or mass media and U.S. society.

About the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication

The Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The School is located in Murphy Hall, a state-of-the-art facility built for cutting-edge teaching and research. With more than 27,000 square feet across five floors, Murphy Hall boasts state-of-the-art multimedia classrooms; a 144-seat multimedia auditorium; a Digital Media Studio; labs for imaging, graphics and communication design; the Digital Information Resource Center/Sevareid Library; the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law; Minnesota Journalism Center; a multimedia conference center; an eye-tracking research lab; and focus group facilities. Founded in 1922, the School is among the foremost journalism schools in the United States supporting three undergraduate B.A. programs; a professional M.A. program in strategic communication; and a master’s and doctoral program in mass communication.

Mentorship/Selection for Hubbard

Please a) specify the Hubbard School and b) please explore our website (https://hsjmc.umn.edu/people/faculty) and share the names of possible faculty mentors in your Research Proposal. Applicants are encouraged to identify one or more faculty mentor(s) in their submitted materials to form a postdoctoral mentoring committee, but the Hubbard School has designated Associate Director and Professor María Elizabeth Len-Ríos (lenr0001@umn.edu) as the acting “Faculty Mentor” all applicants should list when they upload their materials to the UC Portal System. In the preliminary application process, the acting “Faculty Mentor” will generate automated mentor letters of support for all applicants. After reviewing all applications, the search committee will contact the list of applicants who have been selected for the second phase of the search. Email your questions regarding the specific Hubbard School program opportunity to Associate Director and Professor María Elizabeth Len-Ríos at lenr0001@umn.edu.

Eligibility and Evaluation of all PPFP Applicants to the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota:

• Preferred applicants will have completed their doctoral degree in their field within the past ten (10) academic years and no later than August 27, 2023.
• The primary criterion for selection is evidence of scholarship and creative work competitive for a potential tenure track appointment in the postdoctoral fellow’s department/school.
• An important secondary criterion is the support of the proposed department/School and mentor(s) to host the fellow, and the extent to which the candidate’s research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education and at the University of Minnesota.

Award Details for 2023-25 PPFP:

• Salary: $65,000, plus health benefits
• $4,000 research funds, $500 for travel to system campuses, $1000 for travel for the fellow and mentor for PPFP events (per year)
• Office space and computer
• School mentoring and workshops
• Expectation of a tenure-track position at the end of the fellowship, subject to satisfactory performance, departmental review and vote, and College approval.

Required Application Materials:

For full consideration, please be sure to include the following materials in your application:

• Thesis abstract – one page
• Research Proposal – 700-1,000 words (not including references and citations) – this can be the project you would like to work on over the term of your postdoctoral fellowship period. In your research proposal, please list faculty mentors who you would be interested in working with. Note that each participating unit has designated an acting “Faculty Mentor” to endorse your application when it is submitted via the UC Portal System. Through the selection process, participating units will work closely with applicants to identify an appropriate mentor or mentoring committee to work with during their postdoctoral appointment.
• Education and Background Statement – 500-700 words describing your personal background; contributions to diversity and equal opportunity through your academic career; relevant professional/non-traditional academic experience; and rationale for your postdoc commitment.
• Curriculum vitae
• Sample of work – sample publication or unpublished paper for PhDs, please limit to 35 pages (not including references and citations)
• Name, Institutional Affiliation, and Email contacts of Two References

How do I apply & what are the deadlines? (Please note UMN’s PPFP deadline is November 30, 2022)

• Application instructions can be found on the University of California website
• Apply online via the PPFP website
• Questions? Contact ppfp@umn.edu

Closing Date: November 30, 2022, 11:59p. Review of applications will begin immediately. Applicants may be asked to submit additional materials as unit’s engage in their selection processes.

About the College of Liberal Arts

Established in 1868, the College of Liberal Arts supports the University of Minnesota’s land-grant mission as home to disciplines in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. With 31 departments on the Minneapolis campus, it is the largest college in the University of Minnesota system. The College of Liberal Arts is committed to intellectual freedom, the pursuit of new knowledge, and the belief that the liberal arts are the foundation of academic learning. CLA prepares students to be independent and original thinkers, to be innovators in their chosen fields, to create meaning in their lives and in their life’s work, and to become productive citizens and leaders in their communities and the world.

 Diversity & Equal Opportunity

The University of Minnesota recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the University of Minnesota: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Background Check 

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and eligibility to work in the United States. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the University of Minnesota 

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the United States, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research.  Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, communication agencies, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.