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Cornell University, Society for the Humanities

Position ID:
Cornell-Society for the Humanities-POSTDOCSTS [#30301, WDR-00046364]
Position Title: 
Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Science and Technology Studies, AY 2026-2028
Position Type:
Postdoctoral
Position Location:
Ithaca, New York 14853, United States of America
Subject Area: 
Science and Technology Studies
Appl Deadline:
2026/01/15 11:59PMhelp popup** (posted 2025/07/29, listed until 2026/01/15)
Position Description:
   

Position Description

Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in Science and Technology Studies
Academic Years 2026-2028
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY


With the sponsorship of the Society for the Humanities, the Department of Science and Studies invites applications for a two-year Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship position beginning August 1, 2026. The fellowship carries a stipend of $64,000/year.


The Department of Science and Technology Studies at Cornell University invites applications for a two-year Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in the area of “Science, Technology, and Governance.” The geographical area of research is open; we are particularly interested in those working in the period between 1900 and the present. Open to scholars with PhDs in Science and Technology Studies and related fields whose research engages with both the social and epistemic dimensions of science and technology.


Recent events have drawn particular attention to the ways that technoscientific knowledges and practices have been co-constituted with the modern state. At the same time, we are seeing renewed attention to the roles played by scientists, non-governmental organizations, and social movements in shaping science and technology and contemporary modes of governance.


Possible research programs include, but are not limited to, the social and epistemic dimensions of


  •   Expertise and the Politics of Regulatory Science     
  •   Environmental Politics and Governance
  •   Public Health Politics
  •   Science, Technology, and Social Movements
  •   Patronage and Control of Science and Technology
  •   The Politics of Quantification and Modelling
  •   Senses and Surveillance
  •   Science, Technology, and National and/or International Security
  •   Knowledge, Ignorance, and Governance

The Postdoctoral Fellowship is for two years. The Mellon Fellowship is conceived as 65% independent study and research and 35% teaching. Mellon Fellows will teach one course per semester. These courses will be small innovative seminars of their design or a section of Science, Technology, and Governance in the geographical region of their specialty.

We imagine that the successful candidate’s research would be of considerable interest to colleagues in Anthropology, History, or Sociology (depending on their methods) as well as Government, the Policy School, and/or the relevant sciences.

As is our custom in STS, a postdoctoral fellow would be assigned a faculty mentor upon their arrival. This mentor, together with the chair and other faculty, would offer detailed feedback on scholarship as well as provide professional guidance. Fellows would have a shared office within Morrill Hall and would be expected to attend our weekly brown bag gatherings as well as colloquia and other talks. We are proud, in STS, of thoroughly enmeshing Postdocs and visiting scholars in the daily life of the department: isolation—particularly for post-docs—is a real issue in academia and we in STS have long been committed to making sure that every member of our department finds our work environment to be supportive, welcoming, and nourishing.


Eligibility Requirements

 

Applicants eligible for the Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 academic years include those who have received the Ph.D. degree after August 1, 2022 and no later than June 30, 2026.  Applicants who do not have the Ph.D. in hand at the time of application must include a letter from the committee chair or department stating that the Ph.D. degree will be conferred before the term of the fellowship begins. International applicants are welcome to apply, contingent upon visa eligibility.


Application Procedures

 

The following application materials must be submitted via Academic Jobs Online position #30301 by January 25, 2026.

  1. Information Cover Sheet (will be generated via your AJO account):
    (a) Full name and home institution
    (b) Date (or expected date) of Ph.D.
    (c) Research interest(s)
    (d) Referees’ names and emails
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Curriculum vitae
  4. Detailed statement of research interests (1,000 – 2,000 words)
  5. Course proposal with sample syllabus for introductory, 2000-level course
  6. Course proposal with sample syllabus for upper, 4000-level course
  7. One writing sample [30-page limit]
  8. Diversity statement [optional – submit a separate statement or embed the information into other parts of your application materials]
  9. Letter of degree conferral (only for applicants who do not have the Ph.D. in hand by January 4, 2026)
  10. Three letters of recommendation.  Please ask referees to upload their letters directly through the link provided by Academic Jobs Online. Letters must be received on or before January 15, 2026. 

For further information:
Phone: 607-255-7989
Email: humctr@cornell.edu  


Society for the Humanities


The Society for the Humanities was established at Cornell University in 1966 to support research and teaching in the humanities. It is intended to be at once a research institute, a stimulus to educational innovation, and a continuing society of scholars. The Society and its Fellows have fostered path-breaking interdisciplinary dialogue and theoretical reflection on the humanities at large.


Mellon Postdoctoral Fellows are invited to attend all of the Society’s events, and are expected to participate in the Society’s weekly Wednesday Fellows Seminar and luncheon.


societyhumanities.as.cornell.edu



Employment Assistance:

For specific questions about the position or application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or for general questions email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. 

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

  • Prior relevant work or industry experience.
  • Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
  • Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)
  • Unique applicable skills.


Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Detailed Research Project Statement
  • Scholarly Paper - Writing Sample no more than 30 pages
  • Course proposal with sample syllabus for introductory, 2000-level course
  • Course proposal with sample syllabus for upper-level 4000-level course
  • Optional diversity statements (optional)
  • Optional - letter of degree conferrals (optional)
  • Three reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site help popup)
And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:
https://societyhumanities.as.cornell.edu/
email address
 
Society for the Humanities
Cornell University
A. D. White House, 121 President's Drive
Ithaca, NY 14853