Do I have to belong to an underrepresented minority to apply for this program?

No. The program is open to all persons who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, gender, or ethnicity.

I received my Ph.D. in 2021. Am I still eligible to apply for this program?

No. Only applicants who have completed or will complete their Ph.D. or terminal degree requirements between July 1, 2022 and September 1, 2025 are eligible for the program. A two year extension of this eligibility time period will be considered for those applicants whose ability to apply for this program has been delayed due to caregiving or childcare responsibilities, or for a medical reason.

I received my Ph.D. from Boston University. Am I eligible to apply for this program?

No. Candidates who received their Ph.D. or terminal degree from Boston University are not eligible to apply. Current BU doctoral students and postdoctoral associates and fellows are also ineligible. Applicants who received a bachelors or masters degree from BU are eligible.  

I will receive my Ph.D. after September 1 of next year. Am I still eligible to apply this fall?

No. Candidates will be asked to provide proof of completion of their doctoral degree requirements prior to the start of the program on September 1, 2025. You would be eligible to apply for the following year.

Can I apply if I have a terminal degree (e.g., JD, MD, MFA, MBA, or EdD), but not a Ph.D.?

Yes. Applicants with terminal degrees in their respective field may apply as long as they are preparing for a career in university teaching and research.

If I have applied for another postdoctoral position at Boston University, can I still apply?

Yes. If you have applied to another Boston University postdoctoral position, you are still welcome to apply for this program. However, you must disclose this in your cover letter.

I am currently an assistant professor. Am I eligible to apply?

Possibly. This program is designed to give new scholars the opportunity to become more competitive candidates for tenure-track faculty appointments. Candidates with tenure-track appointments are not eligible, those who hold modified or visiting titles will only be considered if they are able to provide a clear and compelling explanation of how they would further the goals of the Postdoctoral Scholar program.

I currently hold F-1/J-1/H-1B (or other) immigration status. Am I eligible for the program?

Possibly. The Society does not provide visa sponsorship or work authorization and will not facilitate sponsorship. Your status would need to allow you to legally work in the US between September 1 2025 to August 31, 2027.

I received my Ph.D. from a non-U.S. institution. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes, the program is open to applicants who have received their Ph.D. from a non-U.S. institution. However, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, please see the previous question.

I am unable to relocate to the BU campus. Am I still eligible to apply?

No. Scholars are required to reside in the Boston area and actively engage with the Society and their host unit in-person. 

Am I eligible to reapply if I was not selected in a previous application period?

Yes. Applicants not selected in a previous competition are eligible to reapply as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria in place at the time of the application. You must submit a new application each time you wish to be considered. 

Are Scholars eligible to apply for a tenure-track position at BU, should one open up during the program period?

Yes, Scholars are eligible and encouraged to apply for appropriate faculty positions at BU. Postdoctoral Scholar status does not affect the outcome of one’s application; evaluation of job applicants is carried out independently by the hiring department/unit.

All applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on Monday, October 14, 2024. 

What should I include in my statement of research and scholarly goals?

The statement should provide a description of your previous research and scholarly work, your intended research plans if you were to receive the Postdoc, and how your work would align with the research strengths of the College.

Should I send my graduate transcripts along with my online application?

No. The Society does not require transcripts to be sent with your online application. However, the Society will request official graduate transcripts from your doctoral-degree granting institution if you are selected as a finalist.

Am I required to identify a mentor on my application?

No, but you are welcome to include a list of faculty you would be interested in working with. All Scholars will be assigned one or more suitable faculty mentors from their host unit(s). 

May I email, mail, or fax my application materials to you?

No. We are only able to review applications that are submitted through the Infoready portal.

May I submit additional materials beyond the requirements?

No. We are only able to review the requested materials.

May I submit any application materials in a language other than English?

No. All application materials must be submitted in English.

May I revise my application or provide additional/updated materials after I have submitted it?

Yes. Your application materials may be updated on Infoready up until the application deadline.

May I submit any application materials after the deadline?

No. All application materials must be finalized and submitted by 11:59 PM EST on October 14, 2023. We will not allow revisions or updates to materials submitted.

Do I need to submit my reference letters with my application?

No. During the open application period, we will only be asking applicants to submit the names and contact information of their referees with their applications. Only applicants who are selected for further consideration will be asked to submit Letters of Reference.

Are there sample applications available for review?

No, we do not provide sample applications for review. We encourage you to closely review the requirements for the requested materials and to consult with your current academic advisor on how to develop a competitive application.

What should I do if I wish to withdraw my application?

Applicants who would like to withdraw their application must email the Society at SoFCAS@bu.edu. 

Who will review my application?

An interdisciplinary selection committee will review applications in consultation with the candidate’s potential host unit(s). 

What does the selection committee focus on when reviewing applications?

Candidates will be assessed according to the strength of their research proposal, teaching statement, and DEI statement, as well as the interdisciplinary strength of their work and the fit of their research goals and interests with potential host units at CAS. Candidates will also be assessed on their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education and their ability to communicate effectively across different disciplines and audiences.

When are the final decisions announced?

Final decisions will be announced by mid February. Successful candidates will receive offers first. Alternates may be contacted if the awardees do not accept.