Job Details

Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Humanities, Democracy, and Higher Education

Position Number: 6874680
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Liberal Arts - Humanities

Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Humanities, Democracy, and Higher Education

Requisition Number: 69563
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date:
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The University of Colorado (CU) Boulder welcomes applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Humanities, Democracy, and Higher Education. The postdoctoral associate will participate in a new grant-funded initiative at CU Boulder entitled "Restoring Trust: Humanistic Perspectives on Academic Freedom, American Democracy, and Higher Education Leadership." This project explores how humanities scholars and university administrators can collaboratively address challenges that arise when universities seek to promote free and open conversations about controversial topics, and how this collaboration can help rebuild trust within universities and contribute to the future of higher education in a polarized American democracy. The initiative will involve monthly academic seminars examining topics related to democracy and higher education, public programs on similar themes, and meetings with representatives from offices across CU Boulder to explore university governance and operations. The postdoctoral associate is expected to pursue their own research (connected to the project theme), participate in academic seminar sessions, and serve as a manager for the project more generally (in collaboration with CU Boulder faculty and staff).

The appointment will begin on August 1, 2026 and run through July 31, 2027 and will be located in the School of Education; the project as a whole is administered by the Office of Faculty Affairs. Academic mentorship will be provided by School of Education faculty and another CU Boulder faculty member with scholarly interests in the humanities aligned with those of the postdoctoral associate. In addition, the postdoctoral associate will be eligible for mentoring and support through CU Boulder's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder aims to center democracy, diversity, equity, and justice in educational research and practice that contributes to evidence-based policy and practice and engages with colleagues in schools and communities. We offer cutting-edge, engaging teacher preparation, innovative undergraduate programs, and Colorado's top-ranked graduate education in multiple program areas. Our graduates are engaged and informed educators, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders.

The Office of Faculty Affairs coordinates a variety of activities associated with faculty life and academic programming on the Boulder campus. The office is a branch of the division of Academic Affairs.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Pursue academic research on a topic related to the project theme.
Participate in a cohort of faculty, administrators, and graduate students involved in academic seminar sessions on topics including higher education and democracy, academic freedom and free speech, and policy dilemmas facing universities.
Serve as project manager for project activities more broadly, including the seminar sessions outlined above, public programs, and institutional engagement meetings in which seminar cohort members meet with other campus administrators and leaders to deepen their understanding of university governance and operations. In serving as project manager, the postdoctoral associate will work closely with the Office of Faculty Affairs, as well as campus partners-including the Center for Humanities & the Arts, the Office for Public and Community-Engaged Scholarship, and Strategic Relations and Communications-supporting this initiative.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary for this full-time position is $57,792.
The fellowship offers additional funding for research and professional development.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be inspired. Be Boulder.

What We Require

To be eligible, candidates must center humanistic modes of inquiry in their research. Candidates may come from disciplines outside of traditional arts and humanities fields, but must demonstrate how their research engages with humanities methods.
Candidates must complete their PhD and be able to be in residence at CU Boulder by August 1, 2026.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials as individual files:

Cover Letter
Current Resume/CV
Statement of Research Philosophy: Statement outlining your interest in the position, your commitment to the humanities, and the alignment between your research interests and the topic of this initiative.
Writing Sample: Writing sample on a topic related to the initiative.
(Optional) Transcripts/Proof of PhD Degree: If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit an English-translated version (if applicable) as an Optional attachment.

During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for three references who will be contacted to provide letters of recommendation as the search progresses.

For full consideration, please apply by February 16, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

For further information on the position and broader grant-funded initiative, please contact Elias Sacks, Faculty Director for Public Scholarship in the Office of Faculty Affairs, at elias.sacks@colorado.edu.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Postdoctoral-Fellowship-in-the-Humanities-Democracy-and-Higher-Education/69563