Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Literatures in English, AY 2026-2028

Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Literatures in English, AY

The Cornell Department of Literatures in English and the Society for the Humanities jointly seek a two-year Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow for and . We aim to recruit a candidate specializing in African American literature and culture in any historical period. We especially seek applications from candidates with additional expertise in gender and sexuality studies or media studies (print and / or digital culture). In addition to conducting their own research, supported by faculty mentorship, the Fellow will be expected to teach two courses per year : one lower-level course, such as Introduction to African American Literature, and an upper-level course such as Black Aesthetics, Early African American Print Culture, or a course of the fellow’s own design. The Fellow will also participate in events and seminars sponsored by the Society for the Humanities.

Salary : $64,000 per year.

Application Procedures

The following application materials must be submitted via Academic Jobs Online by November 14, 2025. Information on the submission portal is provided in the links below.

• 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, 2026)
• Three letters of recommendation. Please ask referees to upload their letters directly through Academic Jobs Online. Letters must be received on or before November 14, 2025.

Information for Applicants

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice , or email Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing

Notice to Applicants : Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and / or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and / or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and / or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

About Us

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including : employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options.

#J-18808-Ljbffr