Interdisciplinary Center for Innovative Theory and Empirics Accepts Post-Doc Scholar Applications

The Interdisciplinary Center for Innovative Theory and Empirics (INCITE) and the Mellon-Sawyer Seminar on Trust and Mistrust in Science and Experts Science at Columbia University and The American Assembly invites applications from PhD or other doctoral-level degree holders for a postdoctoral position for a period of one year.

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator (Prof. Gil Eyal) and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team of faculty and graduate students, the successful candidate will play an integral role in a large-scale project and seminar series on trust and mistrust in science and experts. The Mellon Sawyer Seminar seeks to develop a more sophisticated and balanced approach to the timely question of trust and mistrust in science and experts by encouraging dialogue among different units and disciplines at Columbia university, outside experts and stakeholders, as well as with residents of adjacent communities.

Launched in Fall 2020, the Mellon-Sawyer Seminar has already organized a series of events addressing the pandemic as well as the question trust in climate science. The successful candidate will be involved in organizing a series of similar thematic events to culminate with a major conference in Spring 2022. The primary responsibility for the postdoctoral scholar is to organize a final event that would draw not just academics, but also activists, artists, journalists and others to discuss the theme of trust. The candidate will also work with graduate students to curate an exhibition at the Lenfest Center for the Arts on the theme of trust in science, visual narratives and data presentation. The incumbent will also be involved in all the other public programming happening throughout 2021-2022. Strong interpersonal skills, documented experience in organizing events, and relevant interest in the areas of trust and mistrust is preferred.

Applications will be accepted until February 5, 2021. Candidates will be interviewed through March 1, 2021. The committee currently expects the postdoctoral candidate to be New York City-based. Candidates will receive a competitive salary, Columbia University benefits, and a computing allowance.

PhD in the arts, humanities, sociology, the social sciences, journalism, or related field is required.

Application Materials:

• Cover Letter: Briefly describe your work in relation to the Sawyer Seminar series, your experience in organizing events, explain your vision for executing public programming, and explain why Columbia University is a particularly good place to pursue your work (two-page maximum);
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Writing Sample: One sample equivalent to a single journal article, book chapter, or dissertation chapter. The writing sample may be published or unpublished. It must be in English (maximum 50 pages);
• Samples from public events you helped organize, public installations, digital objects such as podcasts or Websites, public or digital humanities works, or other public-facing work you have developed (Optional);
• Names and contact details for three referees familiar with your work.

Applications should be submitted to Emily Kerman at [email protected].

For more information, see incite.columbia.edu.