Teachers College - Jobs - Job Details - Minority Postdoctoral Fellow

Job Summary/Basic Function:

Teachers College, Columbia University, is the largest and most comprehensive graduate school of education in the United States. Its programs span education, psychology and health fields. Located in New York City, the College has a diverse culture, with students of color comprising over one-third of the student body.

The College is proud to recruit for the Minority Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, which seeks to promote the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty at Teachers College. The program does this by advancing the careers of individuals from groups in U.S. society that have been historically underrepresented in the academic profession.

It provides recent doctorate recipients the opportunity to develop a program of research and participate as an active community member in the life of a graduate research university. This program has been in place since 2001, and has appointed 40+ postdoctoral fellows since then. Fellows have gone on to lead promising careers as tenure-track faculty members and leadership positions within leading schools of education.

The fellowship includes a $65,000 salary, $4,500 for teaching a course, research support of $5,000, eligibility for full-time professional staff & employee benefits as listed on this page, and limited relocation costs. The Appointment is for a 9-month period (salary is paid over a 12-month period) beginning on September 1, 2025, and renewable for a second-year contingent upon satisfactory progress.

The acceptance of a fellowship carries with it the commitment to conduct research as outlined in the application proposal; provide a written annual report of the research program; teach one course per year; and participate in an academic program within a department of the College. A second year will allow postdoctoral fellows to participate in faculty development activities to best prepare them to find a faculty position.

Fall 2025 Eligibility Requirements:

In making awards under this program, Teachers College gives consideration, especially to individuals who are either members of a federally recognized U.S. racial/ethnic minority group or have a federally recognized disability. The selection program committee also takes into account a range of other factors related to increasing diversity at the College, such as the candidate’s socioeconomic background, research and teaching goals that emphasize diversity, and status as first-generation college graduates.

Applications will be evaluated based on the fit with existing areas of research at Teachers College, commitment to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion as evidenced in scholarship, teaching, and/or service, and the quality of the applicant’s research record.

Applicants must hold an earned doctorate* in any area related to education, health, or psychology; have a commitment to research and teaching in a related field; and have completed a doctorate in the last 3 years (no earlier than January 1, 2021).

Teachers College doctoral graduates are not eligible to apply. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups in higher education are strongly encouraged to apply.

Completed applications are due by December 31, 2024.

To apply candidates should submit the following documents in their application:

• A cover letter describing the applicant's interest in doing postdoctoral work specifically at Teachers College, and relevant personal and professional background and interests.
• A curriculum vitae.
• A research proposal related to education, psychology, or health, broadly defined, describing the research that the applicant would like to pursue during the fellowship (five-page limit, double-spaced).
• The application should identify a faculty sponsor at Teachers College with whom they will complete their work. For selected finalists, Teachers College will contact the selected faculty sponsor to submit a letter of commitment for the applicant.
• Three letters of recommendation–either all academic or two academic and one professional.

Please submit all questions to the ProvostsOffice@tc.columbia.edu

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

•  Conduct research as outlined in the application proposal
•  Teach one course per year
•  Written annual report of the research program participate in an academic program within a department of the College

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate in any area related to education, health, or psychology in the last 3 years (no earlier than 1/1/2021) (* If you do not have the doctorate in hand at the time of application, a letter of confirmation must be received from your dissertation committee chair or department stating that you will have the doctorate degree before the term the fellowship begins on September 1, 2025)
• Commitment to research and teaching in a related field
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Candidates from historically underrepresented groups in higher education are strongly encouraged to apply.

Salary Range:

65,000.00 - 65,000.00

Work Modality:

Hybrid

Competitive Compensation and Benefits

The salary range reflects the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting.  Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.

Our benefits contribute significantly to the total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance plans; flexible and hybrid work schedules; tuition remission; life insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; an exceptional employer retirement matching program; health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

If you would like to request any disability related accommodations to complete the job application or to participate in the interview process, please email:oasid@tc.columbia.edu.

Hybrid/Remote

Teachers College maintains a hybrid work environment, which provides employees with flexible work arrangements while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person college-campus culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite or in a hybrid model (a combination of in-office and virtual days). Employees are expected to live within a 150-mile radius of the College.  

We will consider qualified candidates that reside beyond this radius based on the responsibilities and duties expected of the position.  All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.