Mellon Special Collections Humanities Postdoctoral Fellow

Yale University Library invites applications for its two-year postdoctoral Special Collections Humanities Fellowship. Generously funded by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the program offers opportunities for in-depth research using the Yale Library's special and archival collections. The person appointed will also be asked to offer an undergraduate course in three of the four semesters.

Yale’s extraordinary special and archival collections include ancient papyri, early printed books, audio-visual material, manuscripts, works of art, maps, photographs, musical scores, multi-media collections, and innumerable items of historical and cultural significance that span centuries. The Library is also increasing digital access to its special collections for the benefit of the international research community. For information on the Library and its special collections visit: www.library.yale.edu/special_collections/.

The Mellon Special Collections Humanities Fellow will be in residence for a two-year period beginning in the summer of 2008 and will use the Yale Library’s special collections as the basis for research and teaching. The Fellowship includes affiliation to the Whitney Humanities Center, a lively community of humanities scholars drawn from a ll parts of the University. Preference will be given to 1) applicants who demonstrate an interest in multi-disciplinary endeavors or who propose to use more than one collection at Yale; 2) applicants whose scholarly interests align most closely with the Library's special collections and whose academic careers would benefit most from use of these collections; 3) those whose prospectus indicates the expected completion of a research project (i.e., a publication, exhibition, or Web site), or whose skills and training suggest that their work is likely to result in broader access to particular special collection holdings (i.e., in-depth finding aids, specialized processing, creation of digital surrogates, etc.). Special consideration will also be given to applicants proposing to work, at least in part, on collections for which no other Library Fellowships are specifically designated.

Fellowships are open to individuals who received a Ph.D. within the last five years. There is no application form and applicants must submit 1) a curriculum vitae; 2) a short prospectus outlining the collection(s) they propose to use during the Fellowship and how the collection(s) might be used in teaching and research; 3) a statement on the types of Library support expected/required; 4) the applicant’s view of potential collaborations with faculty, the Library, and the wider University community (not to exceed five pages); 5) two confidential letters of reference that address the applicant's prospectus and qualifications. Letters should be forward in the application package.

Submit all materials by Friday, April 4, 2008 to:

Alice Prochaska, University Librarian
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven, CT 06520-8240

Offer is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Yale University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and supports and encourages diversity in all forms.