Info Scholarship - Postdoctoral Fellowships, The Harriman Institute of Columbia University, USA

Financial aid type : two postdoctoral fellowships available
Length: three years
Available to: all interested The Harriman Institute of Columbia University announces two postdoctoral fellowships for the academic year 2008-9 for the study of Russian/Soviet influence in the Mediterranean Area.

The Harriman Institute proposes to award two postdoctoral fellowships for a new research project on Russian/Soviet Influence in the Mediterranean Area. Winning candidates will be contributing to a three-year research project dedicated to “Great Power(s) in the Mediterranean” coordinated by the Institute for the Study of Europe. The goal is to reconsider the role of the Mediterranean in modern European identity, with the fellows highlighting Russian and Soviet imperial influence in the region. By speaking of Great Power in the singular, the project wants to highlight the soft power dimensions of competing military and political hegemonies, including claims on resources, shifting global trade networks, religious proselytism and models of development. The time framework is roughly 18th century to the present, including the Cold War era. The project welcomes expertise on the relations with Russia/Soviet influence of other imperial forces in the area (from the Ottoman and Western European Powers to the Americans) as well as of indigenous and post-colonial movements and states. In addition to conducting their own research, the fellows will help run workshops and other initiatives associated with the project.

Postdoctoral awards are normally for one academic year, although in some cases the support can be for one semester. They require that the recipient be in residence at Columbia. All fellows have access to the Institute's reading room, archives, lectures, and discussions as well as the resources within the Columbia library system. Although the Institute’s space is limited, it does accommodate postdoctoral fellows with desk areas.

Eligibility is restricted to those applicants who have received the Ph.D. within the three years prior to the fellowship period for which they are applying. Candidates cannot hold a faculty position and must have successfully defended and deposited their dissertations prior to the commencement of the fellowship.

For more information on the project, pleased contact the Project Director and Director of the Institute for the Study of Europe, Professor Victoria de Grazia, vd19@Columbia.edu.

Applications Procedure
Candidates should send the following materials to the Fellowship Committee, c/o Barbara Singleton, at the address below, by March 1st (fellowships begin the following September):

1. A research plan outlining how the scholar's time will be spent at the Institute
2. A curriculum vitae
3. A substantial portion of the applicant's dissertation (one or two chapters, or an abstract of the dissertation)

In addition, the applicant should have three letters of recommendation sent to the Fellowship Committee of the Harriman Institute.

Barbara Singleton, Harriman Institute, Columbia University, 420 West 118th Street, New York, New York 10027

Postdoctoral Fellows
The Postdoctoral Fellows Program enables junior scholars who have recently received the Ph.D. to spend a specified term in residence at the Institute (usually a semester or an academic year) without any obligations other than the revision of their dissertation for publication in book form. Nevertheless, fellows are encouraged to share their work by giving a public presentation, and to participate in lectures and other events. Fellows may use the Harriman Resource Center and the Columbia Libraries. Although space is limited, the Institute tries to provide offices or at least desk space for all postdoctoral fellows.

The primary criterion for such fellowships is excellence. Evidence of the dissertation’s potential to make a significant contribution to Russian, Soviet or post-Soviet studies weighs most in the Fellowship Committee's selection of fellows. Postdoctoral fellows must have received the Ph.D. within the three years prior to the fellowship period for which they are applying. Candidates cannot hold a faculty position and must have successfully defended their dissertations by June 1 and deposit them before the start of the academic year in early September in order to receive their fellowships. There is no set number of fellowships.

To apply, candidates should send the following materials to the Harriman Institute Fellowship Committee by January 2 (fellowships begin the following September):

• A curriculum vitae;
• A substantial portion of the dissertation;
• Three letters of recommendation;
• A research plan outlining how their time will be spent at the Institute.

Decisions regarding the selection of Postdoctoral Fellows are made by early May; applicants will be notified in a timely manner.

Please send all materials to:
Barbara Singleton
Harriman Institute
Columbia University
420 West 118th Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10027

Visiting Scholars
In recognition of their contributions to Russian, Soviet, and post-Soviet studies, the Harriman Institute is host to Visiting Scholars who are faculty members from other universities, independent researchers (at the Ph.D. level or its equivalent), and other professionals working in the field. Visiting Scholar is a courtesy title which does not signify a formal association with the University. Individuals named to this title may not claim a University affiliation for the purpose of applying for grants and contracts and should not represent themselves in their publications and correspondence as having a University affiliation. Visiting Scholar status carries no stipend or fellowship.

The title of Visiting Scholar is generally reserved for persons in one of five categories: (1) Members of academic institutions (including graduate students). If the person is from the New York metropolitan area, he or she must be on leave from their home institution; (2) officials and former officials of government or non-government organizations, such as the United Nations, and their affiliates; (3) members of research laboratories or institutions; (4) practicing professionals and creative artists; (5) such other persons who will contribute to the intellectual activity of the University, as approved by the Office of the Associate Provost on the request of the school or department. Individuals may be named Visiting Scholars for up to one year. Renewals for a second year are granted only in exceptional cases.

Upon selection by the Institute Affiliations Committee and approval by the Provost, Visiting Scholars are entitled to certain limited rights and privileges. Scholars are issued a card entitling them to free reading privileges in Columbia's libraries. The University charges a monthly fee of $30.00 for borrowing privileges. Visiting Scholars are issued a Columbia e-mail account at no charge. Scholars may also use other facilities at the University such as the Computer Center, the Audio/Visual Aids Center, and the gymnasium—all subject to the individual regulations of the department or center involved.

Visiting Scholars have access to the Harriman Institute Resource Center and are welcome to participate fully in the intellectual life of the Institute. Visiting Scholars are not entitled to office space, photocopying, postage or telephone privileges; the Institute will attempt to provide some working space if requested and available. Occasionally, in special circumstances, photocopying, mailing and telephone privileges can be extended to Visiting Scholars at their expense. The Institute cannot provide any secretarial or clerical help to Visiting Scholars. Visiting Scholars are ineligible for the University's medical insurance or pension plans or for University housing.

Candidates for the Visiting Scholars Program should submit their request in writing to the Harriman Institute Affiliations Committee and include the following information:

• A description of their research project;
• A curriculum vitae;
• The proposed period, specifying the beginning and end dates.
  

Other Fellowship Opportunities
We strongly encourage applicants from East Central Europe and the former Soviet bloc to investigate alternative funding possibilities to conduct research at Columbia. The International Research and Exchange Board (IREX) has offices throughout Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Fulbright application materials are available at U.S. embassies and consulates.

Info from http://www.harrimaninstitute.org