Description

The Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice at Brown University and the John Carter Brown Library (JCB) invite applications for a postdoctoral research associate position focused on any area/theme of historical scholarship around racial slavery, and/or Indigenous dispossession and slavery. The postdoctoral research associate position is also open to scholars working on the relationships between African slavery and Indigenous slavery and dispossession as well as related issues of freedom and sovereignty. Combining the mission and resources of the Simmons Center and the JCB, we expect to support a single postdoctoral research associate doing advanced research for a year (12 months) in residence beginning July 2025. The Simmons Center-JCB postdoctoral research associate position is expected to be offered annually in recognition of our collective commitment to advance scholarship in critical areas. Applications representing a wide range of disciplinary perspectives are welcome.

The Ruth J Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice is a scholarly research center with a public humanities mission. Recognizing that racial and chattel slavery were central to the historical formation of the Americas and the modern world, the Simmons Center creates a space for the interdisciplinary study of the historical forms of slavery while also examining how these legacies shape our contemporary world.

The John Carter Brown Library is an independent research library focused on the early Americas located on the campus of Brown University. The JCB's collection of more than 50,000 rare books, maps and manuscripts encompasses more than two hundred languages and spans over three centuries of early American history. With collections that focus on European colonialism the JCB is particularly well suited for research in African and Indigenous slavery, freedom, and sovereignty.

Brown University seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce to maintain the excellence of the University, and to offer our students richly varied disciplines, perspectives, viewpoints, and ways of knowing and learning.

Applicants must have completed doctoral work by the time of application and should expect to submit a letter of application explaining how the combined resources of the Simmons Center and the JCB would provide particular and distinctive support to the applicants’ research. The postdoctoral research associate will be asked to participate in the intellectual community at Brown, in and through the Simmons Center and the JCB, to include an opportunity to share their research at a jointly sponsored event.

Search opens November 1, 2024. Applications received by January 15, 2025 will receive full consideration. The position salary is $72,000 and includes benefits and a modest research account.

Qualifications

Applicants must have completed doctoral work by the time of application and should expect to submit a letter of application explaining how the combined resources of the Simmons Center and the JCB would provide particular and distinctive support to the applicants’ research. The postdoctoral research associate will be asked to participate in the intellectual community at Brown, in and through the Simmons Center and the JCB, to include an opportunity to share their research at a jointly sponsored event.

Application Instructions

Applicants should apply online via Interfolio

Please include a cover letter, current CV, a writing sample, and three confidential letters of reference.

Learn More and Apply by January 15, 2025

Overview

The Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery & Justice (Simmons Center) is looking to hire a creative, detail-oriented, and motivated Communications Coordinator for the academic year (with potential to continue). The Simmons Center is a scholarly research center with a public humanities mission. Our work is focused on projects and research clusters that examine the history and legacies of the racial slave trade.

Responsibilities

The student Communications Coordinator will provide critical support on a number of communications/outreach projects including but not limited to: designing graphics for programs and events; ensuring the Simmons Center’s website is up to date and making edits as needed; creating dynamic pages related to research clusters and ongoing projects; designing weekly newsletters; developing social media posts and responding to social media messages in a timely manner; writing short pieces and articles to be featured on the Center’s website/e-newsletter; staffing and photographing events at the Center; assisting with photo and video editing; and other duties as assigned.

The Center is a dynamic space on campus and the selected candidate will be an important member of the Simmons Center team helping to advance questions about historical understanding and social justice connected to the legacies of the racial slave trade and will work closely with staff.

Qualifications

Strong written and verbal communication skills; highly organized and self-motivated; comfortable with Google Suite. Must be proficient in at least one of the following with willingness to expand and hone skillset: graphic design (familiarity with Adobe suite and/or Canva); website editing (familiarity with Drupal, Square Space, Wordpress, etc.); photography and/or video editing (comfortable using DSLR in manual mode and editing in Photoshop, Lightroom and/or Premiere Pro). Past experience in event planning/public programs/exhibition work, and background in History or Africana Studies helpful but not required.

Additional information

This position will begin Fall 2024 and run through the end of spring semester (with potential to continue). The position is flexible in terms of hours and start date, but we would like the student to work between 8-10 hours weekly during business hours Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. This position will work in-person at the Center with potential for remote work once on-boarding is complete.

This position is a student worker Grade D with a starting salary of $15.65/hr.

Please upload both a resume and cover letter to complete your application.

Learn More and Apply

Overview

The Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery & Justice (Simmons Center) is looking to hire a creative, energetic, and motivated Administrative Assistant for the academic year (with the potential to continue). The Simmons Center is a scholarly research center with a public humanities mission. Our work is focused on projects and research clusters that examine the history and legacies of the racial slave trade. 

Responsibilities

The student Administrative Assistant position will provide general office support and critical administrative work on a number of projects and daily needs as determined by the staff including event planning, outreach, and staffing events as needed. The student in this position will be a part of a team of 4 student Administrative Assistants and will coordinate with supervisor and other team members to staff the front desk during Simmons Center's business hours. The Center is a dynamic space on campus, and the selected candidate will be an important member of the Simmons Center team helping to advance questions about historical understanding and social justice connected to the legacies of the racial slave trade. 

Qualifications

Strong written and verbal communication skills, very organized and self-motivated, comfortable with Google Suite. Past experience in event planning/public programs/exhibition work, and background in History or Africana Studies are helpful but not required.

Additional information

This position will begin December 2024 with reduced work hours (2-3 hours per week) for orientation and training. After the winter break, the position will be 10 hours per week and run through the end of spring semester (with potential to continue). We would like the student to work 8-10 hours weekly during Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. Student Administrative Assistants will coordinate schedules to ensure front desk is staffed by at lest one student while the Center is open to the public. This position will work in-person at the Center.

This position is a student worker grade D with a starting salary of $15.65/hr

Please upload both a resume and cover letter to complete your application.

Learn More and Apply