2020 Presidential Scholars Application

The 2020 application cycle is now closed

Columbia University is pleased to announce interdisciplinary postdoctoral positions in the Presidential Scholars in Society and Neuroscience program for researchers who have earned the doctorate, or its equivalent, in:

  1. A humanities, arts, or social science discipline - such as psychology, psychiatry, public health, law, history, economics, literature, political science, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, journalism, music and the arts - and who have extensive acquaintance with, and critical understanding of, neuroscience research;

    OR

  2. Neuroscience or a related discipline in the natural sciences and who have extensive acquaintance with, and critical understanding of, another discipline in the arts, humanities, or social sciences.

These Scholars will join an innovative program, Presidential Scholars in Society and Neuroscience, which includes up to nine postdoctoral scholars and a large group of mentors and affiliated faculty from the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

Candidates must hold a doctoral-level degree (Ph.D., EdD, JD, MD, etc.) by July 1, 2020, and must have received this degree after July 1, 2015.

Review of applications will begin December 2, 2019, and will continue until the positions are filled. Only complete applications received by this date will be included in the first round of reviews. Applications received after the deadline will be included in the second round of reviews only if the Steering Committee is unable to select finalists from the initial pool of candidates. 

All applications must be submitted through Columbia University’s online Human Resources platform and include:

  1. Cover Letter
     
  2. Curriculum Vitae
     
  3. Ph.D. Dissertation Abstract (if applicable)
     
  4. Writing sample/s totaling up to 30 pages (articles or book chapter preferred). Submit your writing samples as a single PDF document. Do not exceed the page limit. 
     
  5. Proposal for an interdisciplinary research project (or projects) that build(s) on the applicant’s current disciplinary background and brings together an aspect of neuroscientific research with research in the arts, humanities, and/or social sciences. Please refer to the "Instructions for Research Proposal" for specific requirements.
     
  6. Work sample or portfolio (if applicable – for applicants with a background in the arts)
     
  7. Three letters of reference, uploaded directly to Columbia University’s online HR (RAPS) platform.

Please submit the interdisciplinary research project proposal as a single PDF document with a clear title. It should include the following:

  1. COVER PAGE
    • Include the title of proposal.
       
    • Include an executive summary or abstract of the project.
       
    • List your proposed faculty mentors with their titles and affiliated schools.
       
      • Select at least one full-time faculty mentor from Columbia University or Barnard College from the arts, humanities, or social sciences.
         
      • Select at least one full-time faculty mentor from Columbia University or Barnard College from the (neuro)sciences.
         
      • Applicants are not required to contact their selected mentors prior to submitting their applications. 
         
  2. PROPOSAL NARRATIVE
    • The proposal narrative should be no more than 10 pages double-spaced in 12-point font.
       
    • The narrative must include a statement of interdisciplinarity, explaining how the project brings together neuroscience research and at least one other discipline in a novel way to advance understanding of mind, brain, and behavior.
       
    • The narrative must include a timeline of research for the three years of the position.
       
  3. ITEMIZED PROJECTED BUDGET
    • Please include an estimate of any anticipated experimental and equipment costs; membership, conference, and travel expenses; costs associated with rental or use of any internal or external resources; publication costs, etc.
       
  4. BUDGET NARRATIVE
    • Provide a succinct description and justification of the project expenses itemized in the budget.
       
  5. FIGURES AND TABLES (AS NEEDED)
     
  6. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND/ OR REFERENCES CITED
     
  7. PLAN TO SECURE EXTERNAL FUNDING (AS NEEDED)
    • If appropriate, include a brief plan for securing external funding, referencing specific grants, granting agencies, or foundations that may be appropriate for your project. A modest research allowance will be available, but it may not fully cover the costs of many projects.

All applications must be submitted through Columbia University’s online HR platform (RAPS).