What is the Polonsky Postdoctoral Fellowship?
Polonsky Fellows form a vibrant research community in the humanities and social sciences, with the freedom to conduct their own research independently or in collaboration. Fellows are able to connect with ongoing projects at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute and have the status of Visiting Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, including access to university databases. In order to give the fellows the greatest flexibility in the pursuit of their own research, teaching is not required, though fellows may have the opportunity to teach at the Hebrew University if they wish.
What are the conditions?
Fellows are awarded $40,000 per year for a period of up to five years, enabling them to develop their individual research and to advance their academic status. Fellows are expected to be present at the Institute at least three days a week of nine months of each year. This leaves ample time for attending international conferences, workshops, etc. In addition to that, fellows are required to participate in a joint weekly research seminar where they are expected to present their work-in-progress regularly. Subject to the availability of funds, travel costs of up to $1,000 per year can be reimbursed if the fellow intends to participate as a speaker or organizer of a conference or workshop.
What facilities does the Polonsky Academy offer?
The Polonsky Academy offers every fellow a spacious personal office with a computer; printing/scanning facilities; seminar rooms for meetings, conferences, workshops, etc.; an auditorium for public talks; a very effective support system for organizing conferences, reading groups and meetings; the possibility of inviting an established international academic; a beautiful garden surrounding the building; and a kitchenette for coffee and refreshments as well as a lunch cafeteria.
How do I apply?
Applicants are expected to submit an original research project in the humanities or social sciences. They may do so even before completing their PhD, so long as by the beginning of the fellowship, in October, they have completed all requirements for their degree. Fellowships last up to five years, subject to yearly renewal which is conditional upon the submission of a progress report that demonstrates their continuous progress in research. Applicants need not have any special connection to Israel, and no knowledge of the Hebrew language is required. Research can be conducted entirely in English. Admission to the Polonsky Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is highly competitive, with an average acceptance rate of 1,4%. The call for applications is advertised each year in November. The deadline for submitting applications is February 1. Applications should include the following documents in English, in separate files: statement of research plans (3-5 pages, with title); summary of your previous research (3 pages); one single-authored published article or equivalent unpublished work; curriculum vitae, including list of publications; complete contact information, including phone numbers, for three possible referees.
What do Polonsky Fellows do after their fellowship?
Polonsky Fellows typically move on to tenure-track positions at international universities or research institutions after, or in some cases during, their fellowship.
The Polonsky Academy for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences, established by Dr. Leonard Polonsky, is dedicated to the funding and promotion of outstanding international research in the Humanities and the Social Sciences.
Each year, the Polonsky Academy awards up to six postdoctoral fellowships, tenable for up to five years, to outstanding international scholars working in any field of the Humanities and Social Sciences.
The Polonsky Academy is committed to providing an environment for research excellence. Scholars work under the best possible conditions for innovative research, including professional autonomy, a scholarly community, and a highly efficient network dedicated to supporting fellows in the pursuit of their academic goals.
For more information click "Further Information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.polonsky.vanleer.org.il/about/