Job Summary

The Academy of Natural Sciences invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship (Sept. 2026 – Aug. 2028) in the environmental humanities, drawn from any humanistic discipline. We interpret the environmental humanities in the broadest terms, including all parts of the world and historical eras.

The fellow will hold a dual affiliation with the Library & Archives of the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Department of History, College of Arts and Sciences of Drexel University. The fellow will develop original research and advance undergraduate experiential learning around selected topics in the environmental humanities entailing some aspect of the history of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, its collections and scientific enterprise, its activity as public museum, and its efforts to engage with varied communities in addressing environmental challenges.

The fellow will actively participate in the academic life of Philadelphia’s University City; contribute to public programs and initiatives at the Academy of Natural Sciences; engage with pertinent scholarly networks and organizations; and pursue opportunities for public outreach and engagement in collaboration with other Philadelphia-area organizations.

The fellow will be paid an annual salary plus receive a full benefits package including health insurance.  Additional research support of $5,000 (which should partially be used in the organization of a workshop or small conference) will also be provided. The fellow is expected to be in residence in the Philadelphia or Greater Philadelphia area for the term of the fellowship. Reasonable support for moving expenses may be provided.

This position is grant-funded; employment is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds.   

Essential Functions

• Develop original research.
• Participate in experiential learning activities for undergraduate students as a representative for the Academy.
• Contribute to public programs and initiatives at the Academy.
• Engage with relevant scholarly networks as a representative for the Academy.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a PhD or Doctorate in a relevant field received in or after 2021
• Interested applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.  Drexel is unable to sponsor an employment visa for this role.

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking

Location

• Center City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade K. Compensation for this grade ranges from $54,630.00 - $81,940.00 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Applicants are asked to submit:

1. A letter of interest (up to three pages) outlining: strengths that the applicant would bring to the fellowship program and the Academy/Drexel communities; how the fellowship would help advance the applicant’s academic and professional growth and impact; and up to three teaching and research topics that the applicant proposes to explore, briefly explaining their societal relevance and how they relate to the Academy’s collections, museum displays and/or programs.

2. A curriculum vitae.

3. One chapter- or article-length writing sample (no longer than 40 pages or a word count of 12,000).

4. Up to three examples of blog posts, popular articles, public talks, social media posts, or other forms of content illustrating the applicant’s track record in communicating research to non-specialized audiences (links to publicly available content may be included with the letter of interest).

5. Names and contact information of three referees.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.