PRODiG+ Fellow, Political Science

Position Summary:

The SUNY Cortland Political Science Department is accepting applications for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship beginning in Fall 2027. This position is offered as part of the Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth Plus (PRODiG+) (https://www.suny.edu/prodig-plus/fellowship) program. The PRODiG+ Fellowship is designed with two primary goals: (1) increase the number and share of excellent and diverse faculty committed to advancing the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and (2) strengthening the pathway for retention and support of these candidates. This Fellowship is for a 12-month appointment for two years (AY27-AY29). Throughout the fellowship, the successful candidate will receive mentoring on how to thrive as a faculty member at a comprehensive college, balancing the demands of teaching and research. Upon completion of the two year fellowship, the candidate will have the opportunity to be considered for a tenure-track position.

The successful candidate will become a part of our dynamic and expanding Political Science Department supporting approximately 80 students in one of our two undergraduate majors in political science and public policy and administration, as well as a concentration in law and justice and associated minors.

The PRODiG+ fellow will join a department of faculty who are dedicated teachers, productive scholars, and engaged members of the campus community.

• Our positions provide predictable salary progressions, and many offer permanency.

• Generous benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, various retirement program options, paid family leave and/or parental leaves, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, long term disability and tuition reimbursement.

• SUNY Cortland prioritizes work-life balance and well-being in all forms. The university’s state-of-the-art Student Life Center is free for employees to use, with membership options for families. Alternate work schedules are available with a supervisor’s approval.

• Professional development opportunities exist through training, continuing education programs, tuition reimbursement and conference travel, based on funding.

• Cortland County and surrounding areas offer easy access to arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and much more. Experience Cortland (https://www.experiencecortland.com/) dives deep into the region’s offerings

Major Responsibilities:

Teaching

• Teach a reduced load of 9 credits per year for the duration of the two-year program.

• Maintain regular office hours and provide academic advising and mentoring to students, at a reduced load, in support of an equitable and diverse scholarly environment.

Scholarship/Research

• Develop an active research agenda.

Service

• Engage in a reduced service load within the department, school, college, and community.

Required Qualifications:

• Be eligible to work in the United States without a visa sponsorship (Note: if you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet the eligibility requirements for this position.);

• Have a PhD in political science from an accredited institution completed prior to the start date (Fall 2027);

• Demonstrate personal, academic, and/or work experience engaging with diversity, equity, and inclusion and/or a commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the campus community. Such experience may include but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/unpaid/community service, or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or populations;

• The department seeks candidates whose research and teaching fields complement, without duplicating, existing strengths.

• In particular, candidates must have expertise in one or more of the following specialties: public policy and administration, American government institutions, and US law. Priority will be given to candidates who can teach courses in two or more of these subfields.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to candidates who are:

• are current SUNY students, alumni, and/or Fellows;

• are candidates from a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates), first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree), or who have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps alumni, or are veterans; or,

• have prior college teaching experience.

The PRODiG+ Fellowship is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Submit an essay of 750 words or less to the following essay prompt: “Please describe how you’ve engaged, facilitated, and/or enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the campus community. Examples could include personal, academic, and/or work experience and may include, but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/unpaid/community service; or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or populations.”