Humanities & Soc Sci Postdocs 2008-2009

Note: These postdocs begin in 2009

Last year's wiki page

Back to Academic Job Search

Suggestions for Syntax, etc.:
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Canceled Postdocs
Postdoc searches suspended or cancelled after being advertised
 * Villanova U (Lawrence C Gallen Teaching Fellowships) due 1/10 (search cancelled per Villanova's website)
 * Brandeis University Kay Postdoctoral Fellowship in Latin American History
 * 12/23 - notified via email: "precipitous decline in endowment investments"


 * University of Virginia, Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture Postdoctoral Fellowship (per website, no new fellowships due to "increasing financial uncertainty")


 * Is this it? Surely there are more.

All Souls College, Oxford University
( Deadline September 19, 2008)
 * Long "short list" to be drawn up on or by November 1, 2008
 * Short list completed and sent by email (11/3)

American Academy of Arts and Sciences
(info Deadline 17 October 2008)

1/2 Any info?

1/5 I had this fellowship in the past and did not hear anything until later in the spring.

British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships
(info Deadline 15 October 2008)
 * Anyone heard anything? I believe successful (ie through to next round applicants) hear first, by email, and the unsuccessful just get letters in the post. (13 Jan)

Brown University, Political Theory Project Postdoctoral Research Associate Fellowship
( Deadline November 10, 2008)
 * Received an email (12/2), it states that there were 165 applicants for 6-7 postdoctoral fellowships and applications will be processed rapidly.

Brown University Postdoc, Markets and Bodies

 * Deadline: December 10

Has anyone heard back from them?

request for further materials via email(1/5) me too! (1/5) does anyone know how many people they tend to narrow it down to at this stage?

Brown University, Watson Institute, Post-doc/ Project Director, Eisenhower Research Project
( Deadline December 15, 2008)
 * (12/28) email notification that I'm on shortlist, scheduling phone interviews.

Cambridge University Library, Munby Fellowship
(info Deadline September 5, 2008)
 * No interviews
 * THE LINK IS BROKEN
 * Link was taken down when the deadline passed.

Carnegie Mellon University, Junior and Senior Fellowships in "Global Connections, Global Responsibilities"
( Deadline: December 1, 2008)
 * ack. via email (mid-November)
 * Email to schedule phone interview (12/15)

Christ Church, Merton and St. John's Junior Research Fellowships, Oxford.
(info Deadline: 12 noon, 8th December 2008) Q1: Were you contacted by a specific College? I've not received an acknowledgement. Any news? Last year they started sending out emails around 1/11. (1/14)
 * acknowledged by e-mail (12/11)
 * acknowledged by e-mail (12/11) (it came from Christ Church)
 * thanks. I figured it was a college thing: my application was to St. John's. In the meanwhile, I contacted them and they confirmed receipt. Very polite!
 * Nothing here. (1/14) x3

Churchill, Trinity Hall, Murray Edwards (ex-New Hall) and Fitzwilliam Colleges JRFs, Cambridge.
Deadline: 23 November 2008 Nothing here either.
 * Shortlist should be asked for more material in mid-January.
 * According to website, shortlisted candidates will be informed 'by 13th January'.
 * Any news? (1/12)
 * Nothing here. (1/12) Maybe tomorrow?
 * Arg. The application website says we will hear by the 13th, but the ack. email said 'after the 14th'. (1/13)
 * E-mail request for written work(1/13)
 * Anyone had a rejection? (they sent rejections last year). (1/13, 15.47 GMT)
 * No contact whatsoever here: don't rejections usually follow the requests for materials from short-listed candidates? (1/13)
 * Well, yes, and being an online system I expected an automated 'not you' email this afternoon. The rejections last year were email.
 * Did you all receive ack emails after submitting?
 * I did not.
 * To the candidate who had a request for written work: Did you receive the request from a particular college? Are you in the humanities, social sciences, sciences, etc?
 * No, not by a particular college. I'm in the humanities (Asian and Oriental Studies category)
 * Still nothing here, (1/14, noon GMT) (x2)
 * To the candidate who received an ack. email stating short-listed candidates will be contacted 'after the 14th': was this from a particular college? (1/14)
 * Sorry, the ack. email I got was actually the one we all should have received, when first registering with the system. It said 'Thank you for registering with the Joint Application Scheme for Junior Research Fellowships application system. Your Login details are (etc.)....If you are selected to submit written work, we will contact you after 14 January 2009.' Having seen the system work before, I believe applicants are not contacted by different colleges for written work, as it is all assessed centrally. Only if you get to the top of the list (on the basis of the written work) and are considered for an interview by Trinity Hall (the others don't interview), you'd be contacted by them. Otherwise you (if you are very lucky!) will just get offered a Fellowship in writing. It might not be from the college you put as your first choice.
 * Rejection email (1/14, 11:00am EST - humanities)
 * Rejection email (1/14 - humanities)

Clare College, University of Cambridge.
(Deadline: 15 December 2008)

Columbia University Society of Fellows in the Humanities
(info Deadline October 6, 2008)


 * 10/16 received self-stamped postcard acknowledging the application is complete.


 * 11/03 $30 charge on my credit card bill. it's that martini time of year in morningside heights.

No news. Which may not mean good news. waiting for the 20th
 * 11/06 I didn't get a postcard - didn't include one - but they charged me so I know they got it! :) Did the ack. postcard give any details on timeline?
 * Interviews will be scheduled in December for January, with final decisions announced before March 1, 2009
 * Last year interviewees were contacted from Dec. 14 to Dec. 20 or so, for interviews scheduled in mid-to-late-January.
 * If we don't hear anything by the 20th should we assume our candidacy is no longer valid?
 * They say on the website that if you have not been contacted by Jan. 1 then you can assume candidacy is no longer valid, Dec. 20th or so might be just as realistic though . ..
 * call for interview (12/12)x2
 * Does anybody know if this means that all those to be interviewed have already been called? Or is there a possibility that the scheduling of interviews takes place over the course of several days?
 * I heard from a former fellow that it was done over several days, by field, and that the fellows do the first sort, pre-short listing and before the interview calls are made; at least that is how it was done in the past. So it could be that more calls will go out next week? Anyone know how they are doing it this year?
 * Would those who were called mind saying what field they're in so that I can know whether I still have a chance? Thanks!
 * Any more news? (12/16)
 * Does anyone know how many people they typically interview?
 * I asked, but they didn't say. (12/17)
 * They say they have the most democratic process imaginable for this fellowship -- So I guess if we do not make it, we can assume that we were genuinely considered. Three more days and then it is time sigh (wistfully) Also, congrats to the interviewee. Good going. I hope you make the cut and thanks for keeping us informed.
 * Time to sigh, I guess. Congrats to interviewees! x2
 * Doesn't $30 at least cover postage for a rejection letter?
 * I never received a rejection letter last year, nor was the stamped postcard I included ever returned. C'est la vie.

Columbia University, Committee for Global Thought Postdoctoral Fellowship

 * 1/7, notification advanced to next round. Those advanced to third round will be notified at the end of Jan.

Connecticut College, CISLA, Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship, Study of Islam
( Deadline: November 1, 2008)


 * 12/16 - rejection e-mail received
 * 1/6 - rejection e-mail received

Connecticut College, Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in Race and Ethnicity
http://www.conncoll.edu/ (Deadline: 15 November 2008 Any News? Will interview in February

Consortium for Faculty Diversity in Liberal Arts Colleges

 * Did anyone out there apply for this one? I'm curious if anyone heard from any colleges. (12/17)


 * I applied, but I haven't heard anything. (12/17)


 * There is not one moment when you hear about these. Could happen between now and March/April. Depends on the individual school.


 * Thanks for clarifying this... Would schools contact us for existing job postings? I'm just unclear on how it works.


 * The school (dean) will contact you independently, typically after a department has expressed interest in having you as a fellow. You deal directly with the school.
 * I was contacted for a phone interview by one of the schools last week. So they're starting to call people out but I don't know about the end date for preliminary interviews.
 * Has any one else been contacted? (1/15) Just curious as I haven't heard anything

Cornell Society for the Humanities Fellowship
(info Deadline: October 1, 2008)
 * Rejection letter, 12/12
 * "Networks" "Connections", anybody notice every postdoc topic this year sounds like a dating service?
 * One can only hope.

Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge
(Deadline September 24, 2008)
 * Has anyone heard from them?

Dartmouth College, Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship, Leslie Center
( Deadline: October 15, 2008)

(http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/Humanities_postdocs_2007-2008#Dartmouth_Mellon_Postdoctoral_Fellowship_in_the_Humanities_and_Social_Sciences) deadline was much earlier than last year's so... candidates they'll bring to campus, I made it to their final selection round and so they will keep my dossier "active". Then mid-March I asked again and they said the offers were made and accepted. In short, yes there was an interview stage but probably for a small number of interviewees.
 * 11/13 Has anyone heard anything?
 * 11/14 Nope
 * 11/20 Rejection via mail (2)
 * Q: Any word on # of applicants or timeline?
 * A: Rejection Letter dated 11/4, postmarked 11/18. No timeline or # of applicants listed. Congratulations to those still under consideration and/or receiving fellowships.
 * 11/26 Anyone received any positive news?
 * Looking at the Wiki for last year's search, and it seems to run into February. So I guess it might still be quite a while before we know anything definitive?
 * I was a finalist last year and I had to wait till mid March to get a rejection email. But this year's application
 * Interesting. So was there an interview stage then last year, or did they just let you know somehow that you were a finalist?
 * By mid february I sent an email to them asking how things stand and I received a reply saying while I am not one of the
 * Rejection snail mail letter received on 12/1, dated 11/19
 * Any news?
 * Have yet to receive rejection or good news of any kind as of 12/4. I assume others are in the same boat? yes, same boat (×5) (12/4)


 * I heard that semi-finalists have already been notified. Can anyone confirm?
 * Still no contact, either positive or negative, as of 12/9 (x9).


 * How annoying. I'm beginning to think my application materials were used as kindling for ye olde Christmas bonfire.
 * You're not alone. I've had that same feeling for awhile now.
 * Actually, I'd assume it's a good thing if you haven't heard anything, because this probably means you haven't been rejected and are still in contention.


 * Does anyone know how many fellowships are offered? the website says one, no?
 * 12/10 Rejection letter received, dated 12/3. I was beginning to worry there for a minute! (x2)
 * A thought just occurred to me: do you think Dartmouth could have prevented all this agonizing/ notoriety with a simple postcard or confirmation email? Or does all of our postings give the postdoc free advertising? ;)  [BTW, I still haven't heard a damn thing.]


 * 12/12 still not a word good or bad from Dartmouth. Others?
 * Nope. But hope springs eternal...


 * Contacted the administrator who said the finalists have been chosen and will be reached this week. Others will receive rejection letters in the mail.
 * Did they say how many finalists? I wonder if this week means Monday. -Three finalists.
 * rejection letter (12/15) (x2-and they even spelled my name wrong in the letter.Nice added touch.)
 * re: three finalists. do you know if they have all been notified? the wording was exactly "the finalists will be reached this week"
 * no letter, no call (12/16) (x10)


 * Anyone received the email yet?
 * no letter, no call, no email (12/17) (x6)


 * "reached this week" apparently means saturday at the 11th hour.
 * You gotta admit, all this waiting with little information might be part of some bizarre psychological experiment....


 * This is the person who contacted the administrator: I suggest that someone else among the "no letter no call" group emails her to ask if the finalists have been contacted yet... She gets back pretty quickly.
 * Rejection letter. Dated 12/15, received 12/18 (East Coast). Best of luck to the finalists. x3


 * I want my rejection letter! Why not send them all at once? I agree with the psychological experiment theory, bet they follow the Wiki!
 * * Do you think it might have something to do with when the applications were received? I haven't heard a thing as of yet (though my mail hasn't come today), but according to my spreadsheet that tracks such things, I sent my application in very close to the deadline.  Is this the case for others who haven't heard yet?
 * Rejection Letter, dated 12/15, received 12/19 (Midwest). Alas, I am now let out of the spaceship.  For what it's worth, my application was submitted close to the deadline as well. (x4)
 * I still haven't heard any news one way or the other (East Coast). Has anyone actually been told yet that they *are* a finalist?


 * All quiet on the West Coast.
 * Whoever the three finalists turn out to be, I hope at least one uses this wiki! Otherwise it could be a while before everybody's tension is relieved...


 * MAN DOWN! 12/20 rejection ltr received on west coast.  Good luck to you all.
 * Well, the suspense is over for me at least -- rejection on 12/22! Plus they misspelled my name in the letter, just to add that extra personal touch... oh well, good luck to everyone who's still in contention, and happy holidays!
 * With the insane staggered notification of unsuccessful candidates, the misspelled names, and the random gaffes reported on other wikis about Dartmouth searches, this place is beginning to seem pretty bootleg...

Duke University, Franklin Humanities Institute
Deadline, 1/12
 * Anything new?
 * Well, no, considering that the deadline just passed 2 days ago...

Duke University, Thompson Writing Program
(info Deadline: October 31, 2008)
 * 11/14 - received confirmation with race/gender monitoring form. Timeline is notification of search status by mid-December (x3)
 * any news so far? (12/8)
 * Nothing, but it isn't mid-Dec. yet . . . (12/9)
 * Anybody was contacted for further supporting materials (12/12)? Since I haven't been contacted for further materials, I assume that I didn't make the initial screening :(
 * And the axe falls via snail mail today. (12/12)
 * Has anyone else not received the axe but not been contacted either? (12/13) (5)
 * Yes, but I've yet to get my West Coast snail mail back
 * That makes two (12/13) (3); I'm in the mid-west, and I haven't heard anything one way or the other. (4) - and I'm in NC; on East Coast (5).
 * Got my rejection today (12/13) in a letter dated 12/8. (I'm representing the Mid-west).


 * Same letter received in Midwest (12/15).
 * Has anyone heard anything other than rejection or silence?
 * silence (x6)
 * End of Silence -- got the rejection today via snail mail (12/15): "We were delighted to receive over 360 applications for our positions this year..."

Rejection on West Coast 12/15, Rejection East Coast 12/15
 * Has anyone received any positive news???
 * Yes - phone invitation for campus visit in January. 12/15. (3)


 * Anyone have any idea of how many positions are open? 12/15
 * Not as such, but I was told there were 6 days available, one candidate per day... so, six of us? Does anyone know how many jobs they offer per year? 12/15 (On the job ads in 2008-2009, it said "5 openings".  Did you get contacted by them for more materials before scheduling campus visit today (12/15)?)
 * Nope, they offered on what I sent them. They're asking for a lot of new stuff for the interview, tho'.
 * Their website says, "We expect to offer about six new TWP Fellowships in 2007-08." But that was for last year...
 * No rejection, no call, got ack letter soon after applying so I know they have my app. (12/15) (me too, I guess my rejection letter is on its way-receive rejection letter 12/16)
 * ^^^^or they might still be making calls and/or deciding on a final list. Last year's entry says something about a waitlist?
 * Likely a wait list. Nothing here either as of 12/15.
 * 12/15 East Coast rejection letter snail mail
 * 12/17 No letter, no phone call. West coast. [Update--got the rejection letter today, 12-22]
 * 12/17 Same. No letter, no requests for more materials, no interviews (West Coast) (3) international (2) East coast (3)
 * 12/19 F-ck off letter received (West Coast)
 * Any news?

Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, JRF
(info Deadline: October 9, 2008) Haven't heard anything either. That probably means we weren't short-listed...
 * original info said shortlist would be contacted 18th November, anyone heard anything?
 * yes, shortlist of 39 candidates was contacted by email on 18th November

Emory University, Transforming Community Project, Atlanta, GA, USA
Info ( Application Review Begins: December 15, 2008)]

The Transforming Community Project (TCP) at Emory University invites applications for its Community Research Post-Graduate Fellowship. The fellowship is a 1-year appointment beginning February 2009, with a possibility of renewal. Eligible candidates will have completed a terminal degree (PhD, MD, JD, MFA, MBA, etc.) by December 31, 2008. The field of academic specialization is open; applicants from all disciplines are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Freiburg Institute of Advanced Study
(info Deadline August 1, 2008)

Girton College, University of Cambridge
(Deadline January 12, 2009)

Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge
( Deadline October 10, 2008)
 * 12/5: Has anyone heard from them?
 * 12/16: Ack. email says that interviews will be held on the 19th of Jan. But no word on when finalists will be notified(?)
 * 12/16: Has everyone received this email?
 * 12/17: That was unclear to me. I know that they have had 2 meetings and since they have all the writing samples, it is possible that they are notifying people whose work they're sending to the external assessors. Did anyone not receive any information?
 * 12/17: Good question. I received it.
 * 01/5: Has anyone had any news? (x2)
 * 01/15: I guess the shortlist must have been contacted by now. Does anyone know how many have been shortlisted?

Harvard History and Literature Fellows
Yes, it's running. Application at http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~histlit/forms/TFApp-09.pdf Deadline February 6, 2009.
 * This teaching postdoc was offered last year, but I haven't seen anything about it so far this year. Anyone know if the program is running this year?

Harvard Society of Fellows
(info Nomination deadline September 5, 2008)

Request for nominee information and samples due in September, decisions for finalist interviews to be made by end of November, final decisions to be made by the middle of December.


 * 10/7 Received post card confirming materials received.


 * 10/24 From last year's wiki, it looks like people were starting to get interviewed around now. Has anyone heard anything beyond an ack. of receipt?


 * 10/25 Nothing yet. Seems like they got started a bit later than last year, so likely people will begin to hear back about interviews next week.


 * 10/25 As far as I know, interviews are actually already underway.


 * 10/26 Oof. How were interviewees contacted?


 * 10/27 The information I have from the SoF says that interviewees will be contacted by phone and that this is an on-going, gradual process through the end of November. Interviews will be scheduled and "conducted from late September through early December" at the SoF's offices in Cambridge.


 * 11/7 Anyone interview yet? They should be about 1/4 to 1/2 done with interviews, right?


 * 11/16 talked to a former Fellow right before turning in the application, who confirmed what is said by 10/27 re: "late September through early December". interviews finish first week of december.  also have a friend/colleague who was called for interview back in late october, and i think it's tomorrow, which means they were scheduling pretty far in advance.  nothing confirmed, but my sense is that those of us who have not yet been called for interview, won't be.


 * 12/5 Has anyone who interviewed head anything yet? I feel like they should be making their decisions soon.


 * 12/8 If the schedule follows last year's then they will have called their first choice last night (Sunday) and the rest of us will receive letters around mid-week.


 * 12/10 Any news? Seems like maybe they're behind last year's schedule.


 * 12/12 I was interviewed in early October; I do not think they are behind. My best guess is that those selected as Junior Fellows have been called by now. Rejections letters are probably on their way –– none of this is confirmed but it seems late by this point for those of us who were finalists. If someone knows for sure, let us know; perhaps I am wrong.


 * 12/15 Offer made.


 * 12/15 Any chance you can tell us when that offer was made? Just wondering if it was today or earlier. Thanks, and congratulations.


 * 12/15 Thanks - today in the afternoon (US time).


 * 12/16 Received rejection (in characteristic tiny envelope) (x3) BTW, where do they get those tiny envelopes?!
 * 12/17 rejection received, "we are sorry to have to tell you again." at least they remembered my interview from last year ;)
 * 12/17 I still haven't received anything. I wonder if they have alternates. Anyone know about that?
 * 12/17 rejection received

Harvard Academy Scholars Postdoc

 * Does anyone know when their interview notifications begin?
 * 11/12 received rejection. email said they received 300+ applications.
 * 11/12 Ditto.
 * 11/14 Ditto
 * 11/18 Received call for campus interview

Harvard Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History 2009-10 Fellowships

 * http://warrencenter.fas.harvard.edu/fsprogramfuture09-10.html
 * Due: February 15

Harvard Humanities Center Postdoctoral Fellowship

 * $35 application fee. Gotta love that.  I'm debating whether it's worth applying.  Does anybody happen to have any particulars about their search criteria?  I see that both of their current fellows are in the Art History department.
 * Well, $35 is better than the $60 they charged last year!!
 * Credit crunch.
 * Q. Anyone know how many applicants there were last year?
 * don't know. two harvard grads were chosen for the postdoc, though.  both in art history.
 * A: I seem to recall that the two postdocs were both Brown Ph.Ds.  The people they have listed in art history may be graduate student fellows.
 * A: the art history people are grad student fellows, just fyi.
 * According to their press release in 2008, there were 200 applicants for the postdoc programs (both those for U.S. scholars and for German scholars), so you can figure that there were c. 150 for the non-German positions. I'd assume that the numbers this year will be higher...


 * ACK received, snail 11/19
 * Q: Anyone have any ideas on how to pay if I don't live in the States, (and therefore don't have an American bank account)? At least Columbia took credit cards.
 * A: I would email them and ask if they accept international money orders. That usually works.
 * A: In the UK I'll be paying the equivalent of about $20 in FEES to get a $ banker's draft. Money orders only come in sterling, so unless they accept other currencies, I don't think I can do that. I've also already emailed twice to ask, no reply at all.
 * A: I'm applying from Ireland and I got an International Bankers' Draft in US$ made out to Harvard. Only took ten minutes and the fees were reasonable.  Should be no problem doing the same in a UK bank.


 * Acknowledgement of application receipt, email, 12/15

Harvard-Newcomen Fellowship in Business History
(Deadline: October 1, 2008)

Hertford College, Oxford, Drapers' Company Junior Research Fellowship
(info Deadline: 14 November 2008)
 * Interviewees will be contacted in December, interviews to take place week of January 19, 2009


 * The working-week portion of December is pretty much up by now; anyone heard anything?


 * Never heard a thing from them. No ack. No request for materials. No invitation for an interview. No rejection. (Jan. 14, 2009)


 * Anyone hear anything?? (Jan. 14, 2009)


 * Nothing here (Jan 15, 2009)

I received a writing sample request in December, but was notified by email on 14 Jan that I was not shortlisted for interview. 15 Jan 2009

Historic New Orleans Collection, Dianne Woest Fellowship in the Arts and Humanities
(info Deadline August 1, 2008, fellowship to commence after January 1, 2009)

The Huntington Library Postdoctoral Fellowships, NEH, Mellon, and Barbara Thom
(info Deadline December 15, 2008)


 * 12/5 snailmail postcard acknowledging receipt of app.

Johns Hopkins, Mellon Postdoc: Concepts of Diaspora
(info) any news? nothing yet?
 * not a word yet
 * I still haven't heard anything at all. I wonder if we ought to call them at some point? Or might that be perceived as too pushy?


 * Hopkins Intersession break is until Jan 23, so there is not chance we will hear anything before then


 * If you do any calling to enquire about the general status of such a search, always talk to the office assistant (and there's no need to give your name).

King's College, University of Cambridge
Deadline 15 November Interviews to take place on 19 February. Does anyone know anything about their timeline for interview requests?
 * Notification of (long) shortlist and request for WS, to be sent to external referees 12/5

Lilly Teaching Fellowship, Valparaiso University
Deadline 15 December
 * Email notification of status as semi-finalist (1/7). Finalists for campus visits to be notified on or around 1/13.

The Library Company, Philadelphia, Postdoctoral Fellowships
(info Deadline, November 1, 2008) Still no news?

Magdalen College, Oxford, Fellowship by Examination
 (deadline: October 13, 2008)


 * Writing sample requested via email (10 November). Anyone else heard anything (since)?
 * No, not yet.. did they ever state when they would let us know about interviews, ahem, "examinations"?
 * No date was given to me. I suspect it must be soon though, considering the examination is 7 February!
 * Any news? (1/15)

McGill University Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in the Humanities and Related Social Sciences
(deadline: November 30, 2008) -must receive faculty sponsorship and reference letter to apply


 * Does anyone know anything about the decision timeline for this?


 * The aim is for decisions to be announced before the holidays.


 * 3 fellowships awarded and finalist "alternates" informed (12/19)

McGill University - Postdoctoral Fellow, Transmission, Translation and Transformation in Medieval Textual Cultures Research Group
( Deadline 12 Dec 2008)

Michigan Society of Fellows Post-Doctoral Fellowship
(info Deadline September 30, 2008)

It charges every applicant 30 bucks. (Did it do this last year?) It asks our very busy mentors to upload letters directly up to its website. I am not sure if it accepts a dossier.

Yes, the 30 bucks was charged last year, and the year before that, and the year before that. . . Such is the record of my optimism. No dossiers accepted, to my knowledge.

Does anyone know if we are required to submit 3 separate writing samples for a grand total of 20 pages? Or 1-3 samples that are each under 20 pages? I can't seem to figure out the language online. Thanks!


 * A: I'm assuming 1-3, each under 20. The other option is too unreasonable.


 * Q: I just "submitted" under the assumption that I should pull my material together, and not wait around for my lovely, overworked referees. But it told me I submitted an "incomplete" application. Will my referees now not be allowed to submit references?


 * A: Yes they will.  Although you won't be able to look at the references, they are registered as part of your application.  Thus, you haven't submitted anything yet, and won't be allowed to until the references are submitted by your referees.


 * A: You can't submit until the letters are already in. I got an email saying my app was incomplete right after I submitted, wrote them and asked and they said it was just a technical glitch and I was good to go.  So you can assume the same I think.


 * Thanks!


 * Q: Does anyone know what the decision timeline is on this?  I know the deadline has only recently passed, but I guess  the whole point of the Wiki is to fill the information vacuum.

A: Last year's wiki has people finding out at the end of January. But you'll have to dig through the archived history to see whether interviews occurred before then.


 * A: There are no interviews. Winners are notified at the end of January, with no intermediate steps.


 * Rejection letter, dated 11/20 (postmarked 12/1). 498 applications received, 100 semi-finalists identified.  Good luck if you're one of the 100. (x3)


 * has anyone received a letter identifying them as one of the 100 semi-finalists?


 * no news from them yet as of today (12/4)


 * for those who received the rejection letters - were they sent to your home or office?


 * I got a rejection letter today (12/4) at my home (x5)


 * No rejection yet as of 12/4 at either office or home, no word of semi-finalist status either. (x7)


 * No rejection yet as of 12/8 at either office or home, no word of semi-finalist status either. (x5)


 * I just added to the above number, but it's pretty clear that the rest of us will probably not hear anything till they make their final decision in January.


 * So does that mean that if we haven't gotten rejection letters yet, we should consider ourselves still in the running?


 * I think that is right. In the past they have notified the top-30 or so "finalists" before the final decisions in late January.


 * No word. Just silence. (12/16)


 * Anyone know when we may hear decisions re: finalists or the SoF postdoc itself (Jan. 20-ish like last year?)


 * Senior fellows will hold the final meeting at 2pm, Jan 22 to decide the winners. Calls will go out over the weekend.


 * That is *very* helpful. Thank you for the information!

National Humanities Center Fellowship
(info Deadline 15 October, 2008)
 * Anyone know when the decisions on the NHC usually come?
 * Got rejection e-mail. Congrats to the lucky recipients.
 * 12/23 - When did you get a rejection email? (No news here yet.)
 * 12/26 - no news either, saw on their website notification in mid-february

National University of Singapore Postdoctoral Fellowships

 * Got rejection e-mail.


 * I was contacted by the head of the selection committee and told that the fellowship programme this year has been frozen due to lack of funding. As far as I could tell from our communication, nobody was selected this year.

Newberry Library
(Deadline 1/12)

Newnham College, Cambridge University Research Fellowship Competition
(Deadline November 7, 2008)
 * long shortlist notified 11 december via email
 * may i ask your field?
 * classics

Newhouse Center for the Humanities

 * any one else apply? (12/17)
 * yes, still haven't heard (12/19)

Notre Dame - Kellogg Institute Visiting Fellowships
( Deadline November 3, 2008)


 * anyone else apply? (1/15)

NYU Liberal Studies Program
Deadline 11/15

Anyone have news of this search?

NYU Postdoctoral and Transition Program for Academic Diversity
Deadline 1/15

The Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture, NEH Two-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship
(info Deadline November 1, 2008)


 * AHA interview scheduled, 12/10

Penn Humanities Forum, Mellon Postdoc
(info Deadline October 15, 2008. Topic: "Connections")

Anything yet? Anyone know what the timeline is for this? I second those questions!

A: Yep, the timeline is printed at the top of their info page: "Awards will be announced by the end of December 2008." !!

A: Since they only choose five fellows, we may not find out right away when calls are made. I'm just hoping that at least one uses the wiki. Calls should be coming soon, if the website and last year's wiki are to be believed.

A: Offer extended (phone call, 12/19) Q: So no interview stage for this postdoc? Congrats, btw!
 * Email rejection (12/22) x7
 * email said 300 applications were received. Considering that fact, I appreciated that my rejection email began by invoking my name instead of just "Dear Failed Applicant."
 * Congrats to the person who got the offer!

Hm. Almost 5pm EST and no rejection yet. Wonder if this means that they haven't gotten around to it yet or if I am perhaps an alternate. Anyone else in no-rejection no-offer liminality?

(from same poster as above) Well, since it's less than 2 hours until Christmas eve in Philadelphia, I don't imagine we'll hear anything else until 2009. I suppose this means they've either 1) lost my file, 2) accidentally left my award message on somebody else's voicemail, or 3) made me an alternate--here's hoping for one of the latter possibilities. (2x)

(from same poster again) Still without word, I finally called Penn today (1/6). Unfortunately, it wasn't any of the above possibilities. My rejection email just didn't get through to me for whatever reason. Sigh... Congratulations to the awardees.

Penn Mellon Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship
( Deadline: December 15, 2008)

Anyone know the plan for this? Will there be interviews? When will they let us know?


 * Last year, the committee met in mid-January and recipients were selected by February. Of course, the deadline this year is six weeks later, so the timtable might be shifted later as well...

Were there interviews?

1/8- Any word?

1/13- No word at all

1/15-I haven't even gotten any acknowledgment of my application. Did anyone else receive an ack?

1/15-Nothing, no ack or anything else.

Princeton Center for African American Studies Postdoctoral Fellowships
(http://www.princeton.edu/africanamericanstudies/news/opportunities/)
 * Closing date: November 7, 2008


 * Has anyone heard any news on this fellowship?
 * No! I got an email acknowledgement from them in late November, and no mention of when decisions would be made... I can't even find anything on their website that mentions a timeline for decisions...
 * I just emailed them to find out what the timeline is. I'll let you know what I hear (1/12)
 * The committee will meet this week to begin the process, with a decision expected no later than the first week of February. (1/12)
 * Thanks for posting that information. Did they indicate that they are making a final decision, or creating a shortlist and will interview? (1/12)
 * They didn't say - I was under the impression that they are making a final decision, but I can't say for sure. (1/13)
 * Thanks!

Princeton Davis Center for Historical Studies, Fellowships
(info Deadline December 1, 2008)
 * For "senior scholars with established reputations" as well as "early career scholars"
 * 2008-2010 Theme: Cultures and Institutions in Motion

Princeton Society of Fellows
(info Deadline October 1, 2008)


 * 10/27 Received ack. of complete dossier via mail, decisions and interview invitations will be made by the end of January/
 * 12/7 Received request for missing letter of recommendation to be sent ASAP -- perhaps this means that they're now sitting down to decide?
 * 12/17 Any news?? A: I was interviewed for this one last year.  They didn't contact me until after the New Year, so too early to worry.
 * 12/30 Q: Anybody know roughly when we will hear about interviews? Or about the timeline? Thanks.
 * 01/01 A: They will contact us sometime in January... just gotta wait and see. They get a LOT of applications for this one, so we just have to be patient!
 * 01/06 A: For what it's worth, they seem to have invited people for interviews on the first Wednesday of the first full week in January in both 2008 and 2007. So maybe people will hear things tomorrow?
 * 01/07 Q: Anyone heard yet?
 * 01/08 Q: Anyone heard yet?
 * 1/8 A: I haven't (x10) -the comforts of partners in paranoia...
 * Maybe tomorrow?
 * The website says that applicants won't be contacted until the end of January and all interviews will happen in early February, which is slightly later than last year's schedule.
 * The website actually says that applicants will be contacted by the end of January. If interviews are in early February, it's hard to believe that the interviewees won't find out soon.
 * Still no rejections (I'm being realistic about my chances)...does anyone know if they do email or snail mail rejections/interview invitations?
 * I'm pretty sure that last year they emailed interview requests, and mailed out rejection letters a few days later.
 * I was called to set up an interview last year.
 * Any news anyone? (1/13)
 * Nothing Yet! (1/13) (x13)
 * Ah, no rejections today. Hope springs eternal!
 * Invite for interview by email (1/13) x 3
 * Does anyone know how many people they are interviewing?
 * Congrats to the three interviewees. May I ask what field you are in?
 * Early modern European history
 * I'll echo the congratulations! Did they mention how many applications they received...?
 * No, no mention of anything really!
 * Heard from a colleague there that they had 800 or so applications. Not sure how reliable or exact that number is. (1/14/09)
 * Yes, congrats. Anyone in East Asian? A: here is one, doing C/history. heard nothing.
 * Their official rejection letter states that they had more than 920 applications.
 * Did you receive their official rejection letter for this year's competition?

Princeton University, Stewart Fellows in Religion
( Application Review Begins: November 15, 2008)]


 * On campus scheduled for early February
 * By email or phone?
 * on campus interviews scheduled and presently underway, through first week in Feb

Princeton Writing Program

 * Teaching postdoc was offered last year, is it on again this year?

Rutgers CCA Fellowship
(Deadline January 9, 2009)

Rutgers Center for Historical Analysis
(Deadline: 15 December 2008)

St John's College, Cambridge University, JRF
(Deadline 1 October 2008)
 * 11/13 - shortlist contacted
 * by email or phone?
 * 11/18 - email rejection

Selwyn College, Cambridge University, Centenary Fellowship
(info Deadline September 5, 2008)


 * 10/16 - short list of semi-finalists have been notified

Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge University, JRF
(Deadline 15 October 2008)
 * Anyone heard anything? (11/18)
 * not I
 * Rejection email, bizarrely sent to uni email address which I did NOT put on the application... (11/19)
 * No rejection, no invitation for an interview either (11/20)
 * Redaction and apology for sending duplicate rejections from last year, plus a rejection for THIS year (11/24)
 * Rejection email (11/24)

Stanford Humanities Fellows Program
(Deadline 8 Dec 08)
 * Application sez successful candidates will hear by 3 March 09.


 * this is completely different from the Stanford I-Hum fellowship, right? Yes.
 * Anyone else's materials not register on the online application? I submitted mine early last week, but the form still claims to have received no materials. (12/10)


 * Don't worry. It takes them a little while to go through all of the applications. My online application said "no, no, no, no" for about two weeks after I sent my materias.  Then one day it said "yes, yes, yes, yes."


 * And isn't that something we all want to hear....


 * that's what I thought. I repeated it for a minute like an incantation when it finally posted to my app: "yes, yes, yes, yes." Bon courage.


 * 01/07 Q: has anyone heard any word yet?

Stanford IHUM
(Deadline TBA) Is this the same as the Stanford Humanities Center External Fellowships? Deadline 15 October 2008 No. IHUM stands for Introduction to the Humanities--a year-long program that all first year students enroll in. This postdoc involves teaching 3 sections per quarter for lecture courses designed and taught by teams of Stanford faculty.

3 sections every quarter? Wow. A: each section is small, so the overall number of students is reasonable. Plus, there's only one prep.... and a research leave after the first year. So it's a good job.

Q: Is deadline still TBA? Is this pdoc happening this year? A: February 28.

Sweet Briar College, Teaching Postdoc

 * ack email, 12/5
 * ack email, 12/8
 * dossier request sent directly to recommenders (12/11)
 * I'm afraid I don't know what the above comment means. Could you explain?  Why send a dossier request to the letter writers or is there some other 'recommender'?
 * Ditto to above. A dossier is by nature already a collection of letters. I assume they meant that Sweet Briar contacted each of their recommenders individually, although the refusal to accept a dossier from a departmental credentials service seems very odd indeed. And, Q: how did you know that your recommenders were contacted? Did Sweet Briar tell you, or?
 * Clarification: Sweet Briar contacted each of the recommenders individually for their rec letter rather than contacting the applicant. The recommenders passed on this information to the applicant; no contact from Sweet Briar to the applicant.
 * ack email, 12/12 (X2)
 * Thank you for the clarification - this makes sense now. But wow, they are moving fast if they already contacted from letter writers.  Does anyone know anything about Sweet Briar's timetable?


 * I got the distinct impression from brief exchanges that all applications received by 5 Dec would receive full consideration.
 * Received email asking me to contact my references for letters.(1/7)(x2)
 * So some people's recommenders were asked for letters last month, and yesterday they asked some (other?) candidates to contact references themselves? I haven't heard anything since the ack. letter. No idea if they have contacted my recommenders. (1/8)
 * I'm one of the people who posted on 1/7. The email I received was the first time they asked to see my letters of recommendation. (My references weren't contacted individually last month for letters.) I'm not sure why they changed their procedure, but I figure it makes more sense to have candidates responsible for ensuring that letters get sent.
 * I am wondering if the job ad might have caused confusion. I saw the ad in the Chronicle.  It read to send "three references including contact information."  I took that to mean they wanted the letters with the inital application matierals.  But in looking back at it, I can easily see someone reading it to just ask for reference names.  Perhpas realizing this confusion, the school is trying to be fair and request letters from those who did not send them already?  Or perhpas that's wishful thinking?
 * If think they wouldn't have asked for "references including contact information" if they wanted letters with the initial materials, as letters include contact information.

Tulane University, Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Humanities
( Deadline: December 1, 2008)
 * Ack. snail mail, no details (11/08)

University of California President's Postdoc

 * Successive acknowledgements re. various materials (11/21)

University of California at Berkeley Chancellor's Postdoc

 * Complete application notification (11/18)

University of California, Los Angeles "Cultures in Transnational Perspective"

 * Complete application notification (1/9)

University of Chicago, Harper and Schmidt
(info Deadline: November 3, 2008)

-no definitive answer but take a glance at wikis from previous years and you will see why they have a reputation as notoriously slow. While interviews tend to occur fairly promptly in February, some alternates will likely receive their offers as late as April 2009. ..
 * Q: The deadline is slightly later this year than last. Anyone know if we'll hear anything before the holidays?
 * A: The U of C typically waits to award new postdocs until they know which of their current postdocs are leaving for tenure-track jobs. In other words, their fellowships aren't really decided upon until the tenure-track job market has wrapped up.
 * That's true, but I think the initial poster was probably just asking if U of C would be requesting additional materials before the holidays. If so, answer is: that is the usual run of things.

Note: They received around 1100 applications this year (from a well-informed inside source, but this sounds pretty high--more than double what they received a few years ago).

WOW, yes, that is a HUGE jump from previously. Is it...the economy? Anyway, thanks for posting this info. I don't suppose you know when they'll be asking for additional materials, do you?

That is an enormous applicant pool!?!? I know someone said above that the number of fellowships awarded depends on how many current fellows leave, but does anyone know -roughly- how many they award each year? Thanks.


 * I was just looking at the list of current fellows. Slightly more than a third of them got their Ph.D.'s at Chicago, for whatever that's worth.


 * In terms of how many are awarded each year, if you go on the current fellows page, you can see how many there are, and that will give you a rough idea of how many could conceivably open up. Q: Has anyone been asked for a Writing Sample yet this year??


 * No requests here. After looking at the current fellows page, I calculate (roughly, with a big guess) they'll be looking for three, or a maximum of four, humanities fellows this year. I don't know how this will break down when one takes into account different fields in the humanities.  1100 applicants: yikes.  Given the dire state of the job market this year, I would imagine there won't be much movement among Harper Schmidt fellows who haven't completed their time there.  Good luck to all.

12/11 Writing sample requested via e-mail. (x3) 12//22 Writing sample requested via e-mail (x1) Humanities


 * are you humanities or soc. science?
 * humanities (x3)
 * Q: did any of you who received ws requests apply for both the humanities and the social sciences? just wondering how they coordinate requests since presumably they won't want to ask twice.


 * Q: Does anyone know if they have sent rejection notices (either so far this year, or in past years)? Just wondering if the lack of an e-mail request for a writing sample means I should give up on this one.


 * I'm pretty sure that several years ago they received something like 800 applications.. and the deadline was a bit earlier then. So the jump to 1100 doesn't seem unbelievable/extraordinary this year... [U. of C. almost as popular as Obama administration for job-seekers]


 * A: If memory serves, they never sent rejection letters last year.
 * did the humanities people who've had ws requests receive their requests on the 12/11, or did you receive the request later, when you updated? Just asking, I'm wondering whether they're done requesting.


 * Q: Does anyone know how big the short list is?


 * Q: has anyone in the social sciences heard anything yet? All I've had is silence...
 * Nope. All silent for me too (Social Science and Civ).
 * BTW, last year the Social Science search ran a month behind the Humanities in asking for writing samples & etc, so sit tight. (I know, easier said than done...)
 * Adding to what was said above, when I applied last year, I didn't get asked for a writing sample from Social Sciences until January.

A: If you don't get a rejection letter, don't give up hope. The can call people for interviews (and ask for w.s. at the same time) as late at early March. It depends whether all of the people who get offers accept them. Since some of those people will also get TT job offers and take them, slots continue to open up even into the new year... Good luck!

Q: I interviewed with them 2 years ago, and they definitely asked for a writing sample beforehand (around now). Is that true, that they sometimes ask for a writing sample when they ask for an interview??

12/22 writing sample request (x2)
 * For those who got the writing sample request -- are you in social sciences? A: humanities B: humanities as well. any idea how many are there in this long-short list?

University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Fellowship
Any News? None as of 1/15

University of South Florida

 * Renewable pdoc in English, anthropology, communication, geography, and philosophy
 * email alerting me that one of my letters hasn't arrived. hopefully this means they're getting right down to work (1/7)
 * I was told there are 290 applications. --That's not bad really, compare with U. Chicago.
 * No, it's not bad in comparison with Chicago. But realize that Chicago's apps were several hundred less in previous years; you can gauge the extent to which the number of apps schools are receiving--relative to the amount each one would normally receive, which varies from school to school--indicates that a whole lot of people are worried about not finding a TT, or about getting let go from their VAP, etc.

University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Historical Studies
(info Deadline January 15, 2009)
 * Ack email, 1/12. (looks like they've toned down the 'your wonderful proposal'- type language from last year)

University of Texas at Austin, Program in Western Civ and American Institutions, Postdoc
(http://fmrsi.wordpress.com/2008/11/25/university-of-texas-at-austin-program-in-western-civilization-and-american-institutions-post-doctoral-faculty-fellowships-academic-year-2009-2010/)


 * Any news?

University of Toronto, Jackman Humanities Institute Mellon Postdocs
(info Deadline December 1, 2008)

When did they put this one up? It must have been mere weeks before the deadline - I kept checking through September and October, finally concluding that they must not be offering it this year...


 * Anybody have a sense of whether American applicants are given equal consideration on this fellowship? There's not much information on current fellows on their website.
 * application acknowledged (12/10)
 * A: Canada has a law about privileging a Canadian applicant over other applicants, assuming all else is equal between the candidates.
 * Anyone know whether they'll be contacting or interviewing finalists before awards are announced in March? If so, when do you think this will take place?

University of Virginia, Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture Postdoctoral Fellowship



 * The website says the application information will be posted in "the coming weeks"


 * 11/12 Website says: In the face of increasing financial uncertainty, the Institute regrets that it will not be able to offer new graduate-level and postgraduate-level fellowships for the 2009–2010 academic year.

Washington University in St Louis, Mellon Postdoc in Modeling Interdisciplinary Inquiry
(info Deadline December 1, 2008)


 * The website says "Dec 1 2007" -- is there an updated listing somewhere?


 * Current ad posted last week on H-NET (ad), guess they have forgotten to update their website.(8/17)


 * Receipt acknowledgement by email (11/15)
 * Rec'd email acknowledgment on 12/10; also 12/11 (x2); also 12/12; also 12/16


 * To those who received acknowledgments, did you contact them to confirm your application status? Or did they just write to confirm they had received your application?
 * for me, the email ack was unsolicited. But they seem to be "rolling in," so no need to panic I'd say.


 * Ok thanks, I think I'll panic anyway just for fun.


 * MLA interview requested 12/13
 * You sure you're in the right place? I didn't think Wash U interviewed for this fellowship at MLA.
 * Q: seconding the above question. Are you actually interviewing at MLA for this pdoc?
 * that indeed doesn't make any sense - this postdoc is not specifically for MLA people

I'm also interviewing at MLA for this postdoc. It's definitely for the postdoc. Damn. What about us non-MLAers who applied?
 * While I agree that the timing of the interview reported is weird, I have known other cases where a postdoc committee interviewed at multiple conferences, including MLA & AHA. So the above is odd, but not impossible.
 * I know that Wash U is interviewing at MLA for a Theatre Professorship---is that what you meant?
 * Any news on this one for non-MLA'ers? (1/12/09)
 * No news or anything at all for a non-MLA specialist (1/15/09).

Wesleyan University Center for the Humanities Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2009-2010 Theme: "War"
( Deadline November 3, 2008)
 * Email sent to a list of fourteen people to notify them that Wesleyan has received and is currently reviewing their application materials. It strikes me as a bit strange that the list isn't BCCed -- the email addresses of the other applicants are all visible in the email. (12/9)
 * Also received email acknowledging application (12/9) (x3)
 * Looks like it could be a bloc of names that are roughly alphabetical (12/9)
 * I agree. The email was sent by the administrative assistant, who could have been trying to send a few hundred notices out, one batch of fifteen or so at a time.  Mistakes happen.


 * Email to schedule phone interview (12/16)
 * Tentative schedule: Finalists notified by end of Dec, campus visits end of Jan, offers mid-Feb

Yale Agrarian Studies Postdoc
( Deadline January 5, 2009)
 * Email notification that application was received 12/5/09 (4)

Discussion and Comments

 * QUESTION - I have no idea how to format this, sorry. I'm wondering if others have any interest in gathering a list of postdocs with no campus interview.  Would it be possible to mention it with each listing?  Maybe it's just me, but the constant travelling gets to be not worth it after a while.
 * I think such a list would be difficult to run (separately to this one), but feel free to note on any postdoc listings 'this one does not do campus interviews' or something similar. I'm not sure that complaining about the hassle of interviews is something that many people would be sympathetic to: plenty of us WOULD love to get an interview!!
 * Fair enough, but the 'close but no cigar' treatment gets old fast too. Just thought people might find it more time-effective, but I definitely hear your point.
 * Can we (meaning someone more technologically inclined than myself) borrow the model from last year, where the History lists the fellowship modified?
 * Happy to, but not sure how! And some jerkoff just DELETED the whole wiki page from last year...


 * QUESTION -- Can anyone tell me where I can find information on how many applicants there are for the various postdocs? (I'm trying to communicate the difficulty of actually getting one to my significant other.)
 * Last year's page has some figures for particular fellowships. Ballpark figures for the prestigious societies of fellows (Harvard, Princeton, Columbia) put it at around 800 apps. I believe. Rejection letters sometimes mention the number of applicants, for fellowships in history last year that I applied to (rather than humanities in general), they had 250-300 applications.
 * The numbers usually mean nothing to your significant other, but good luck anyway.


 * I see that above someone says some jackoff deleted last year's wiki page? Quelle disgustement. If that is true, you can still view the History, which will show you what it looked like. If you do so, please restore the page. Thanks!


 * QUESTION - If, after applying for a postdoc, there is a change to my cv - a new publication - should I send a new cv to the SC? I know this is done for T-T jobs, but I haven't heard of anyone doing it for a postdoc. But given the long timescales of some of these postdoc searches, a lot can change on a cv in that time! Has anyone done this?


 * A: I did it last year between an interview and decision in order to add two publications. It didn't work in my favor. But obviously other factors are always at play.


 * QUESTION - What's the etiquette? Some of these fellowships have late notifications (like Princeton's Society of Fellows), so what if we're offered a T-T--it certainly wouldn't be something I'd want to decline (either way).  Does that make any sense?


 * A: First of all, if you are asking about what happens if you accept and then later reject, that goes way beyond *etiquette.* Do not even think about doing that, not even if your acceptance was "only" verbal. Second, you should have 2 weeks after an offer to draw things out, and negotiate. If you get a TT offer, take that time to negotiate your contract; mention that you're in the running for a big pdoc and ask if they'd consider giving you a year--if you do get the pdoc--to push your project forward before the tenure clock starts. Meanwhile, go over to the chronicle webpage and look under the Careers fora. This question has been covered ad nauseum under the Job Seeking experiences category (as have many others), so should be helpful for you.


 * A?: I am not sure that the professionalism involved dictates an etiquette that is so absolute. Can you provisionally accept a postdoc and then decline if a TT position comes along? Or, if one of these most highly competitive/prestigious postdocs comes calling, I would imagine you could decline or postpone a (provisionally) accepted TT position if you so chose, assuming you hadn't signed a contract. If you are honest when offers come in, why not make the selection best for you. What do you all think?


 * A: There is no such thing as a provisional acceptance, unless you think there is such a thing as a provisional offer. Let's hope that when an offer is made to you, it is not "provisional." Either you say "I accept" or you say "I cannot accept at this time." You will then be told how much time you have to make your decision, and that is how much time you have. At that point, the thing to do is contact places where you are already a semi-finalist and tell them that you remain very interested in their position/pdoc but that you have an offer and time is of the essence. And then you wait and see what happens. But once you have verbally accepted, then you have accepted. Verbal contracts are binding, and violating them is actionable, but more importantly it's considered very bad form. Keep in mind that breaching a verbal contract is not only unethical, you are damaging the chances for other jobseekers to be treated decently and humanely if you act unprofessionally and cavalierly. There are standards in place, and it's *not* a question of etiquette, it's a question of ethics. So, by all means, don't accept right away if it's not your first choice; verbal acceptances are expected to be held to.


 * A: Yes, it's not as if this very circumstance doesn't arise, and often, and one has to make a decision to take something one isn't so sure about or to roll the dice by declining and hoping the desired thing comes through. Precisely because the circumstance does arise so often, there are indeed established ways of doing things. The academic world is smaller than it might seem, and your reputation as an ethical person is important. If a situation arises like this for you, don't accept right away (you'd never want to do that, anyway)...and contact your adviser for, well, advice.


 * A: I have to disagree with some of the advice here. If you've accepted a postdoc and you get a good TT offer that will not let you defer, you should drop the postdoc and take the job. This happens, and people will understand. I have counseled my own students to do this. Be polite, of course, and ask your advisor to help.


 * Q: When you have an offer, what is the best way (what is best to say) to contact other places/positions/fellowships you are a candidate for and might prefer?


 * Q: Could someone add an entry for Rutgers University's CCA external postdoc? Not sure how to do so with current numbering system.
 * A: When you add it in using three equal signs before and after, it will automatically number and put it in the table of contents part.


 * Q: So, is anyone in the same boat as me? I struck out completely on the postdoc front--while getting several conference interviews and on-campus invitations.  Has the world turned upside down or is my bewilderment just due to the fact that I'm new to the job market?  Can it be that it is harder to get a post-doc than a t-t job?


 * A well, some of the general humanities postdocs listed above have as many as 1000 applicants (some more, some fewer). And the search committee isn't necessarily looking for a person in your field or subfield, so yes, in that sense they tend to be much more competitive than a tenure track job which might have 50-400 applicants from a particular field or subfield.


 * A If you've already struck out on the postdoc front, it sounds like you may have only applied to a few, or only the big ones. The vast majority of them, and nearly all of the smaller ones, have not made their decisions yet. So maybe next year apply more broadly?


 * A There are lots of different kinds of postdocs. Humanities-wide Mellon postdocs are often much more competitive than tenure-track jobs. They also look for different things in a candidate, like interdisciplinarity and/or "trendiness" of research rather than an impressive teaching portfolio.