The College of Arts, Science & Education (CASE) at Florida International University (FIU), Miami, FL (USA), invites applications for the 2022-2023 cohort to the CASE Distinguished Postdoctoral Scholars Program. This program is designed to support and enhance the professional development of promising early-career scholars engaged in research in the sciences and humanities with the potential for future placement in tenure-track positions. CASE is dedicated to ensuring a diverse, inclusive, and scholarly environment. We strongly encourage applications from members of groups that historically have been underrepresented in the professoriate and/or who have demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The CASE Postdoctoral Scholars will work with a mentor/scholar of their choice who is a faculty member in one of the CASE departments (https://case.fiu.edu/academics/index.html). Scholars are expected to engage in research that advances the research priority areas of FIU and will have the opportunity to be affiliated with CASE Preeminent Programs and Centers. As part of the application, a faculty mentor will submit a statement of support (see application materials below) and a one-page mentoring plan indicating how they intend to guide the career development of the postdoctoral fellow
(more information below).

Mentors will be expected to help the Scholar develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) (https://myidp.sciencecareers.org/Home/About) and provide an annual review of the performance and progress of the postdoctoral scholar’s activities in accordance with the expectations and responsibilities of Postdoctoral Scholar Mentors, as laid out by FIU’s Office of Postdoctoral Services (https://postdocs.fiu.edu/).

While the primary focus for the Postdoctoral Scholars will be to conduct scholarly activities and research, they will also be expected to interact with graduate students, participate in outreach efforts, and submit competitive research proposals where appropriate. The Postdoctoral Scholars will have the opportunity to teach if desired and will also be able to interact with faculty from across the College, as well as additional FIU faculty and external partners affiliated with the university.

Appointments will have a term of one year starting in Fall 2022. A second-year renewal will be contingent upon accomplishments over the past year and require a recommendation from the mentor. In addition to salary, the scholar will receive benefits plus a discretionary fund of up to $5,000/year for research and travel expenditures. Candidates will be selected based on demonstration of scholarly promise and potential future impact on their respective field of study. Candidates must have obtained a Ph.D. from their home institution before the start of the appointment, usually the beginning of the Fall semester (August 22, 2022).

Candidates should apply to Job Opening ID 525693 at facultycareers.fiu.edu and submit the following supporting information in the order listed below and as one PDF:

• Cover letter detailing the following:

o Introduction, including name of proposed CASE faculty mentor, who would already have been notified by applicant.
o Summary of proposed research or creative works, and its broader impact in the area of study.
o Potential for cross-collaborative opportunities if applicable.
o How this work will form the foundation for your long-term scholarly pursuits.
o Career goals and how the Distinguished Postdoctoral Scholar position will help you achieve your professional goals and transition to an eventual faculty position.

• Diversity Statement (1 page, 11 pt. font minimum) providing evidence of commitment to and impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion. A guide is here: https://go.fiu.edu/diversitystatement.

• Proposed research or creative plan (2 pages, 11 pt. font minimum) describing:

o Proposed research statement/question or creative activity.
o Approach of research or creative plan, including preliminary data where applicable.
o Impact of work on area of study.
o Research Methodology (if applicable) and proposed timeline.

• CV, including funding record such as external grants, travel/research grants, fellowships or scholarships. Indicate amount of funding.

• Statement of support from Mentor using the wording below:

o “I ___________, agree to serve as Mentor for Postdoctoral candidate, _________. I am aware that this document will serve as a statement of support for this candidate and I may be asked to provide a letter of support in the near future if candidate is chosen as a finalist.”
o Mentor will need to sign and date the statement which is to be uploaded as part of the initial application.

• Mentor’s one-page (11 pt. font minimum) mentoring plan. This can be based on the mentoring plan required for NSF proposals. Examples of activities include career counseling such as identifying short and long-term career and research goals; providing mentoring with an emphasis on the development of independence, including providing detailed advice and assistance on the development of specific research projects; training in preparation of grant proposals, publications and presentations; guidance on ways to improve teaching and mentoring skills; guidance on how to collaborate with researchers from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary areas effectively; and training in responsible professional practices.

The applicant should also submit the names and contact information of three professional references. Reference letters are not necessary unless requested.

For full consideration, applications should be submitted January 31, 2022. Review will continue until the positions are filled. Inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Caroline Simpson at simpsonc@fiu.edu. FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida and is an Equal Opportunity, Equal Access Affirmative Action Employer.

About FIU

Florida International University is Miami’s public research university, focused on student success. According to U.S. News and World Report, FIU has 42 top-50 rankings in the nation among public universities. FIU is a top U.S. research university (R1), with more than $200 million in annual expenditures. FIU ranks 15th in the nation among public universities for patent production, which drives innovation, and is one of the institutions that helps make Florida the top state for higher education. The Next Horizon fundraising campaign is furthering FIU’s commitment to providing students Worlds Ahead opportunities. Today, FIU has two campuses and multiple centers, and supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA, with more than 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. The university has awarded more than 330,000 degrees to many leaders in South Florida and beyond. For more information about FIU, visit www.fiu.edu.