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Presidential Scholars in Society and Neuroscience

Columbia University is pleased to announce three postdoctoral positions for researchers who have earned the doctorate, or its equivalent, in a humanities or social science discipline—such as psychiatry, psychology, public health, law, history, economics, literature, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, journalism, music and the arts—and who have extensive acquaintance with and critical understanding of neuroscience research.  These Presidential Scholars will form the inaugural members of an innovative program that will eventually include nine postdoctoral positions and a large group of mentors and affiliated faculty from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

Over the last decade, Columbia University has assembled a distinguished group of neuroscientific researchers in the Zuckerman Mind, Brain, Behavior Institute which, with the infusion of new funds and a new building, stands poised to become one of the most important loci of neuroscience research in the world. Columbia University is committed to supplementing the groundbreaking experimental inquiry of the neuroscience faculty by systematic investigation into the conceptual underpinnings and the social foundations and consequences of such newly obtained knowledge.  The Presidential Scholars in Society and Neuroscience will add the perspective of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences to intensify and broaden the neuroscientific research base and help advance transformative interdisciplinary research throughout the University.

The goal of this interdisciplinary experiment is to train and foster a new generation of scholars with the capacity to advance understanding of the humanist and social dimensions of mind, brain, and behavior.  In order to foster true interdisciplinary research, each Presidential Scholar will work very closely with two senior mentors, one drawn from neuroscience and the other from the humanities or social science discipline closest to the work of the scholar.  The Presidential Scholars, mentors, and affiliated faculty will meet bi-weekly throughout the academic year, inviting guest discussions from accomplished scholars around the world and serving as a locus for the Presidential Scholars’ presentation of their own work.

Successful applicants will be appointed in the Center for Science and Society at Columbia University.  Appointments will be made at the level of postdoctoral scholar or scientist, or associate research scholar or scientist, with a start date of July 1, 2015 for the 2015-16 academic year.  Renewal for the second and third years will be based on satisfactory performance.  The annual salary will be approximately $80,000, plus benefits.

Eligibility Requirements: Candidates must hold the doctoral degree by July 1, 2015 (and have received the doctorate after July 1, 2010) in a humanities or social science discipline, and must demonstrate extensive acquaintance with and critical understanding of an aspect of neuroscience.

Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2015 and will continue until the positions are filled.  All applications must be submitted through Columbia University’s online Recruitment of Academic Personnel System (RAPS) and must include:  a cover letter of application, curriculum vitae, dissertation abstract, writing sample of up to 30 pages (article or book chapter),  proposal for an interdisciplinary research project (or projects) that builds on your own disciplinary background and an aspect of neuroscientific research,  work sample or portfolio (if applicable – for applicants with a background in the Arts), and three letters of reference.   For more information and to apply, please go to academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=60129

For questions about the application process, please contact researchinitiatives@columbia.edu.

Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.