Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in Performing and Media Arts

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University’s Department of Performing and Media Arts invites applications for a two-year Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship beginning August 1, 2027. The fellowship carries a stipend of $68,000/year and welcomes candidates whose work crosses theory and practice in film, media, or live performance.

Candidates will teach one lower‑level (2000) and one upper‑level (4000) course each year and prepare two undergraduate seminar proposals.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required after Aug 1, 2023, and before Jun 30, 2027.
• International scholars welcome contingent on visa eligibility.
• Applicants must submit materials via Academic Jobs Online.

Responsibilities

• Teach one lower, 2000-level course and one upper, 4000-level course per year.
• Submit two course proposals for undergraduate seminars (up to 300 words).
• Engage in scholarly life of the department and Cornell at large.

Job description

With the sponsorship of the Society for the Humanities, theDepartment of Performing and Media Artsinvites applications for a two-year Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship position beginning August 1, 2027. The fellowship carries a stipend of $68,000/year.

Cornell’s Department of Performing and Media Arts seeks a postdoctoral fellow with research/creative projects and teaching interests that cross the boundaries between theory and practice in one or more of the following areas: film, media, or live performance. Interdisciplinary expertise and teaching are desirable. We would like to recruit a postdoc whose work crosses the boundaries of theory and practice, who is invested in innovative and experimental research methods and creative practices, and who brings these methods into the classroom. The successful candidate will also engage in the intellectual and creative life of the department and Cornell at large. We are interested in recruiting candidates who demonstrate commitment to the highest standards of scholarship, teaching, and professional activity consistent with a Research I university.

Postdoctoral Fellows teach one course per semester, including one lower, 2000-level course and one upper, 4000-level course each year. Candidates should submit two course proposals (up to 300 words, including key texts/media) for undergraduate seminars that showcase the applicant’s pedagogical commitments and teaching strategies.

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

Applicants for the MellonPostdoctoral Fellowship for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 academic years must have received the Ph.D. degree after August 1, 2023, and before June 30, 2027. 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 scholars are welcome to apply, contingent upon visa eligibility.

Application Procedures

The following application materials must be submitted via Academic Jobs Online position#32585 by November 1, 2026.

• 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
• Cover Letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Detailed statement of research interests (1,000 – 2,000 words)
• Course proposal with sample syllabus for introductory, 2000-level course
• Course proposal with sample syllabus for upper, 4000-level course
• One writing sample [30-page limit]
• Diversity statement [optional – submit a separate statement or embed the information into other parts of your application materials]
• Letter of degree conferral (only for applicants who do not have the Ph.D. in hand by January 4, 2027)

• 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 November 1, 2026.

For further information:

Visit: https://societyhumanities.as.cornell.edu/mellon-postdoctoral-fellowships
Email: [e-mail]

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.

MellonPostdoctoral 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