The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Sawyer Seminar, “At Risk U: The Past, Present, and Future of Academic Freedom,” at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, invites applications for a one-year Sawyer Postdoctoral Research Associate in the areas of US Higher Education and Democracy, Critical University Studies, or Higher Education and Risk. We seek scholars whose research focuses on the economic, political, or technological challenges confronting US universities in the past and present. Scholars in any discipline or interdiscipline in the humanities and interpretive social sciences are invited to apply.
Primary responsibilities will be to document the Sawyer Seminar activities and prepare materials related to the Sawyer Seminar symposium for publication. The research associate is expected to develop their current research project and to meet regularly with their faculty mentor.
Candidates must have received a doctorate within the past ten years or have completed all degree requirements by August 15, 2027. The appointment has a start date of August 16, 2027, and is for a nine-month period, August 16, 2027 – May 15, 2028. The recipient may not hold other postdoctoral positions, fellowships, or awards during the appointment period. The postdoctoral fellow is expected to be in residence for the duration of the appointment (August 16, 2027 – May 15, 2028).
The salary is $64,000 paid over a 12-month period (August 16, 2027 – August 15, 2028) and includes a comprehensive benefits package in accordance with University eligibility guidelines. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
Mail application materials to sawyerseminar@illinois.edu with the subject heading “Sawyer Postdoc Application.” The application package should include the following materials:
- A two-page cover letter explaining how the applicant’s research and experience connect with the seminar topic (sawyer.illinois.edu). Applicants should describe their research plans for the fellowship year and how they will benefit from residence at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- A 30-page writing sample (preferably a journal article or dissertation chapter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation, one of which should be from the dissertation or thesis advisor
- The application deadline is October 2, 2026, 5:00pm (CDT).
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.