Postdoctoral Associate, Southeast Asian Environmental Humanities

The Southeast Asia Program (SEAP) at Cornell University invites applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Associate in Southeast Asian environmental humanities. Potential topics may include and are not limited to humanistic or qualitative research approaches to climate breakdown, biodiversity, human-animal relations, plantations, environmental justice, commodity chains, extraction, and the cultural politics of food as they relate to Southeast Asia and/or Southeast Asian diasporas. We especially welcome applicants with PhDs in the humanities, interpretive social sciences such as anthropology, or interdisciplinary degrees such as religious studies, Southeast Asian studies, ethnic studies, feminist studies, or science and technology studies.

Since its founding in 1951, SEAP has contributed to understanding Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Brunei, East Timor, and Singapore in a comparative regional and global context, with a distinctive interdisciplinary program that spans the humanities, social sciences, and applied sciences. At present, Southeast Asia faces ongoing interrelated challenges, including environmental degradation, plant and animal endangerment and extinction, natural resource extraction, climate change, migration, civil conflict, and inequitable economic growth. These challenges have practical significance for the lives of over half a billion people as well as the biodiversity and landscapes in the region, and call for innovative research approaches to understanding these complex topics.

The most competitive candidates will have proficiency in one (or more) Southeast Asian language(s), and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary contexts. We strongly encourage scholars from Southeast Asia and underrepresented scholars who have been historically and structurally excluded from research and funding opportunities to apply. The Associate will be housed in the Kahin Center for Advanced Research on Southeast Asia and, through SEAP, be part of the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies. SEAP will also provide connections to the Departments of Asian Studies, Science and Technology Studies, and other Cornell units as relevant to the Fellow's research and teaching interests.

Roles

The Associate will teach one class per year on a topic focused on Southeast Asia in a department closely related to their field of study. They will primarily contribute to the Southeast Asia Program by conducting independent research and disseminating their findings through presentations, publications, podcasts and public outlets such as the SEAP Bulletin and other forms of outreach. The Scholar is required to be in residence at Cornell's Ithaca campus where they can take advantage of the Echols Collection on Southeast Asia in the library and participate in SEAP's weekly Gatty Lecture series as well as seminars and other programming in the Department of Science and Technology Studies such as the Science Studies Reading Group and other campus units.

Requirements

Awardees must have earned the doctoral degree within five years of beginning their postdoctoral appointment. Candidates with more than five years of postdoctoral experience and those who received their Ph.D. from Cornell are not eligible. Awardees may not simultaneously hold any other paid or unpaid position during the term of the appointment. Before starting in the position, candidates will be asked to confirm that their doctoral degree has been conferred.

How to Apply

Salary and Appointment Details

• The SEAP Environmental Humanities Postdoctoral Associate is provided an annual stipend ranging from $62,000-$65,000, depending on candidate experience. They will receive Cornell benefits for the duration of their postdoctoral appointment.
• In addition to the annual salary, Postdoctoral Associates receive an annual professional development fund of $4,000 per appointment year. Associates will also have the opportunity to apply for additional research funds through discussion with the SEAP faculty steering committee and the SEAP Director.
• Postdoctoral Associates are appointed for a one-year term with second-year renewal contingent upon performance.
• The appointment start date is negotiable between July 1 and September 1, 2025.
• Candidates will be notified of selection decisions by February 15, 2025.

Supervision

Postdoctoral Associates will be housed within SEAP, part of the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, and will work closely with Professor Juno Salazar Parrenas and other faculty involved in SEAP.

Pay Range:

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
• Academic Discipline
• Unique applicable skills.

Employment Assistance:

Notice to Applicants:

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, 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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.