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Provost's Career Enhancement Postdoctoral Scholarships, 2012
 
As part of an effort to promote a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences among its faculty, as set forth in the University of Chicago Diversity Statement, the University of Chicago invites nominations and applications for the Provost's Career Enhancement Postdoctoral Scholarship (PCEPS). The Office of the Provost will fund up to five two-year postdoctoral scholarships to promising junior scholars. The University seeks two scholars for the cohort beginning in September 2012; they will join the returning scholars whose scholarships began September 2011.

Scholars in all fields are eligible. Candidates must have completed all requirements for their doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D., J.D., or foreign equivalent) before the scholarship start date. In addition, eligible scholars must be within three years of having completed their degree. Thus, candidates for the 2012 Scholarship will have completed their degree no earlier than November 1, 2008, but before September 1, 2012. Individuals currently holding a postdoctoral or faculty position at the University of Chicago are not eligible.

Successful candidates will be selected on the basis of academic achievement, scholarly promise, potential to add to the diversity of the University community, and the likelihood that the individual may become a qualified and competitive candidate for a faculty position at the University of Chicago upon the completion of the Scholarship. Each cohort of PCEPS holders will include at least one scholar whose research furthers the mission of the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture.

In addition to pursuing their research, Scholars will teach one quarter-long course in their field for each year in which they hold a postdoctoral scholarship.

 
Required Materials
To apply for a scholarship please complete the online Application Form and submit the following documents in pdf format (each up to 10 MB) prior to 11:59 pm (CDT) November 1, 2011:
 
Letters of Recommendation
References must submit letters of recommendation (as PDF file up to 10 MB) via the online Recommendation Form by prior to 11:59 pm (CDT) November 8, 2011.
 
University of Chicago Faculty Nominations
Any member of the University of Chicago faculty may nominate a candidate for a Provost's Career Enhancement Postdoctoral Scholarship by submitting the online Nomination form by prior to 11:59 pm (CDT) October 17, 2011. We encourage faculty search committees to consider nominating promising applicants for whom a postdoctoral scholarship rather than a tenure-track position may be more suitable for career development.

Nomination letters should describe the qualities that make the nominee an attractive candidate for a Provost's Career Enhancement Postdoctoral Scholarship. Be sure to describe how bringing the nominee to campus will contribute to the University's diversity mission, and how you, your department, or your lab will support the nominee's research and teaching by making available appropriate lab or office space, arranging for teaching evaluation, and providing mentoring from appropriate faculty.

Nominations also should designate a faculty mentor for the nominee. The mentor will be responsible for guiding and monitoring the advanced training of each research scholar. The faculty mentor will advise the scholar of the goals, objectives, and expectations of the scholarship program, and provide to the scholar regular and timely assessments of his or her performance. The mentor should also provide career advice and job placement assistance. (For additional information consult the University of Chicago Postdoctoral Researcher Policy Manual).

Upon receiving a completed nomination, the Office of the Provost will contact the nominee and invite him/her to complete the application process by submitting a full dossier including a research and a teaching statement prior to 11:59 pm (CDT) November 1, 2011.
 
PCEPS Deadlines
  • Nominations: prior to 11:59 pm (CDT) October 17, 2011
  • Applications: prior to 11:59 pm (CDT) November 1, 2011
  • Recommendation Letters: prior to 11:59 pm (CDT) November 8, 2011

 
Contact Us
Please contact us at provostpostdocuchicago.edu if you have questions or if you require any accommodations to complete the PCEPS application or nomination process.