The Department of Native American Studies at the University of Oklahoma is pleased to announce a search for applications for one Mellon Impact Postdoctoral Fellow. This is a two-year position which will be located in NAS.

Fellows will be expected to teach at least one class per year from their area of interest and contribute, when possible, to the Andrew W. Mellon Native American Studies Initiative through the supervision of undergraduate student fellows. Half of the Postdoctoral Fellow’s time will be reserved for furthering their research. Salary is $45,000 with benefits. The start date is in early August of 2024.  

Native American Studies at The University of Oklahoma:
Native American Studies places tribal sovereignty, community, and futurity at the center of academic study and prioritizes meaningful engagement with and service to Native Nations and communities. Our curriculum is anchored by our commitment to Indigenous methodologies, ways of knowing and relational accountability. Native American Studies offers an undergraduate minor, B.A., and M.A. Our curriculum is organized around core courses in critical Indigenous theory and research methods and includes four areas of emphasis: (1) Tribal Governance and Policy; (2) Cultural Knowledges and Language; (3) Indigenous Media and Arts. Our curriculum is designed to be responsive to the needs of Native Nations and communities as they articulate them, particularly the 39 sovereigns in Oklahoma. 

In the past ten years, Native American Studies has moved from a program to a fully-fledged department with five tenured/tenure-track faculty, five renewable-term faculty, and numerous adjunct and affiliated faculty. We offer five Indigenous languages, a Tribal Service Learning course and an Internship program. Notably, Native American Studies recently became home to the Andrew Mellon Impact Fellowship program, which provides unique opportunities for students and post-doctoral fellows. We have established and renovated dedicated faculty offices, classrooms, and event space, providing a home for Native faculty and students and are at work on a physical building study.  

As part of the University of Oklahoma's commitment to Indigenous peoples and their substantial presence, the University established the Native Nations Center for community-engagement and research and created the office for the Associate Vice President for Tribal Affairs. The University of Oklahoma's Press works closely with Native American Studies. Critical support for students is provided by American Indian Programs & Services in the Office of Student Life, and faculty find campus community through the Indigenous Circle Faculty/Staff Resource Group. The University of Oklahoma is also home to unparalleled Native American museums, collections, and archives, including the Western History Collection, the Fred Jones Museum of Art, and the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History. Signature campus events include the Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair, the Native Crossroads Film Festival, Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration, and the Spring Powwow, now in its 109th year.  

For more information about Native American Studies at OU, please visit our website at nas.ou.edu, or visit us on Facebook or Instagram. 

We seek outstanding early career scholars who will participate in and benefit from the resources at The University of Oklahoma and the Department of Native American Studies. Applicants should hold a Ph.D. (or terminal degree) by August 2024. The research area is open.

Applications should include a cover letter, CV, writing sample or portfolio, and three letters of recommendation. These should be submitted online at http://apply.interfolio.com/139675 . 
 
Priority deadline to apply is April 1, 2024. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

Direct inquiries to Dr. Farina King, Coordinator of the NAS Mellon Impact Fellowship Program at [email protected].