Postdoctoral Research Opportunity – Critical Disability Studies and/or Black Studies with the Digital Apothecary
The Digital Apothecary seeks applications for a postdoctoral scholar position in the areas of critical disability studies, Black disability studies, and/or Black studies. This position begins in June 2024 and continues until August 2025. The ideal candidate is an interdisciplinary scholar who uses critical theoretical approaches to think through issues of Black studies, queer studies, and/or disability studies.
Candidates will have strong skills in collaborative work, written communication, and project management. Experience with research creation, design practice, media production, and related methods is preferred but not required. Interdisciplinary candidates completing PhDs (and/or PhD specializations) in fields such as Disability Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Queer Studies, Black Feminist Health Science Studies, Science and Technology Studies, Digital Humanities, Design Studies, Black Studies, Ethnic Studies, and related fields are encouraged to apply. Candidates identifying with disability and disability communities are encouraged to apply.
This postdoctoral position is part of a collaborative project, Labs for Liberation, funded by the Mellon Foundation. Labs for Liberation brings together the Digital Apothecary with Vanderbilt University’s Critical Design Lab, directed by Dr. Aimi Hamarie. Labs for Liberation explores the laboratory form and structure as a space for integrating value-explicit research and research creation, drawing from methods from disability culture and community organizing. Postdoctoral fellows will work collaboratively with members of both labs, including undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and community fellows (including artists and community organizers).
Responsibilities include:
- Carrying out a full-time active research program focusing primarily on critical disability studies, Black studies, and related practices, including working on book and article manuscripts, solo publications, and/or collaborative publications with members of the Digital Apothecary.
- Attending regular meetings of the Digital Apothecary and Labs for Liberation project teams.
- Working collaboratively with Community Fellows to mentor graduate and undergraduate research on Labs for Liberation projects, including curriculum, podcasts, zines, and social media content.
- Helping to coordinate two summer institutes on disability and design (July 2024 and July 2025).
- Guest lecturing in courses related to disability studies and Black Studies.
The Digital Apothecary is a hybrid digital and physical lab dedicated to combining ancient and new technologies in an effort to produce processes and projects that aid those most marginalized in society. It is a place for applied research that goes beyond theory. Projects include a system for ethical distribution of payment and investigations into the ethical internet. We are housed at Northwestern University, led by Dr. Moya Bailey, and powered by a collection of graduate and undergraduate students.
The postdoctoral fellow will be supervised by Dr. Moya Bailey, associate professor of communication studies. They will also work with Dr. Aimi Hamrie and the Labs for Liberation team at Vanderbilt University, which will also include a postdoctoral scholar and two community fellows.
The one-year postdoctoral fellowship will begin on 6/1/2024 with an end date of 8/31/2025. The position carries a salary of $66,764, office/lab space, health insurance, and eligibility for other benefits. This is a full-time position that requires a physical presence in Chicago for the term of the fellowship. The postdoctoral fellow will also have access to an additional project budget, which reimburses allowable research expenses.
Applicants should provide a cover letter, a CV, and three references using this form. Cover letters should include information about candidate qualifications and research interests, interest in working with the Digital Apothecary and Labs for Liberation project, future research plans, and experiences with disability culture (if any). For full consideration, applications are due December 1, 2024.
Northwestern University is committed to recruiting and retaining an academically and culturally diverse community of exceptional scholars. Women, minorities, and members of other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Northwestern University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer.