Society of Fellows
The College at the University of Chicago will begin accepting applications on November 10th for four-year postdoctoral teaching appointments as Harper and Schmidt Fellows who hold the rank of Collegiate Assistant Professor.
Collegiate Assistant Professors are members of the College Faculty whose primary responsibility is to teach in the general education (Core) program. Candidates must demonstrate excellence in teaching as well as in their original scholarship. While many Core sequences feature set reading lists, applicants need not have conventional expertise in the specific texts and topics that are currently taught. Rather, we welcome applicants from a wide variety of disciplinary backgrounds who can apply conceptual and methodological creativity and skill to the teaching of general education courses. Applicants should be prepared 1) to identify and guide students through fundamental questions in a Core sequence and 2) to contribute meaningfully to the instructional community and the curricular evolution for that Core.
Applicants must submit applications to be considered in one of the program areas listed below. Please make sure to spend time reviewing the Core sequences and sample syllabi to understand the distinct topics and approaches and gauge best fit.
- Core courses in the Social Sciences explore, on the basis of significant works or primary source materials, the fundamental concepts and the different modes of inquiry that have defined the social sciences in the modern period. For the 2026-2027 cohort of Fellows, we are inviting applications for Collegiate Assistant Professors to teach in two of the year-long sequences into which the Core is organized: Self, Culture and Society and Democracy: Equality, Liberty and the Dilemma of Self-Governance. Other Social Science sequences (Classics of Social and Political Thought, Mind, Global Society, Social Science Inquiry and Power, Identity, Resistance) will also review application files if programmatically necessary. See descriptions and sample syllabi of these courses (opens in a new window)
- Some Collegiate Assistant Professors also teach in the Introduction to the Civilizations Core Sequences. For the 2026-27 cohort of fellows, we are accepting applications in the History of European Civilization core sequence. These courses are taught on the basis of intensive readings of significant primary source documents. Other Civilization sequences (Introduction to Latin American Civilizations and Introduction to East Asian Civilizations) will also review application files if programmatically necessary. See descriptions and sample syllabi of the History of European Civilization (opens in a new window)
The positions are open to scholars in all disciplines and areas of specialization who will have completed all requirements for their Ph.D. degree no later than August 31, 2026.
In most years, Collegiate Assistant Professors teach two courses (usually of identical preparation) for each of three quarters. In the second through fourth year of residence, each Collegiate Assistant Professor has the opportunity to design up to two independent courses and each is eligible for two quarters of research sabbatical. In the fourth year there is a possibility of another quarter with a reduced teaching load.
The position comes with a salary of $89,734, carries full benefits, and a minimum annual professional development fund of $7,000. The effective date for these teaching appointments is September 1, 2026.
These positions are benefits-eligible. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Online applications must be completed by January 4th 2026, 11:59:59 pm EDT.
Application Details
Deadline: January 4th 2026 11:59:59 pm EDT
APPLY VIA: https://apply.interfolio.com/176687 (opens in a new window)
To complete your application, you will need to upload the following supporting documents:
- A curriculum vitae (be sure to list your full legal name)
- A cover letter describing your past and current research as well as your teaching experience and interests
- A Teaching statement, not to exceed 750 words, describing your methods and goals in teaching a text in a general education course. Applicants should write about a specific text of their own choosing, which need not come directly from a Core sequence syllabus but should lend itself to a similar kind of general education course in the chosen program area. For a description of the sequences, see the College Core Website at https://college.uchicago.edu/academics/core/social-sciences-core (opens in a new window)
- A research statement, not to exceed 750 words
- A writing sample of up to 50 pages
- One or two syllabi from previously taught courses
- Teaching evaluations
- Three letters of recommendations
Applications will be accepted beginning November 10th 2025
Important Dates
January 4th 2026, 11:59:59 pm EDT: Online application deadline for all application materials, including letters of reference. https://apply.interfolio.com/176687 (opens in a new window). No late applications will be accepted.
Early February - April 2026: Selected candidates will be invited for zoom interviews
May 2026 - June 2026: All candidates will be contacted at the conclusion of the search
August 31, 2026: Ph.D. requirements must be fulfilled
September 1, 2026: Teaching appointments begin
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.
If you have any additional questions, please contact us via email at fellows@uchicago.edu.