Boston University’s Center on Forced Displacement (CFD; www.bu.edu/cfd) invites applications for a two-year post-doctoral scholar position developing projects with a focus on displacement and disability.

We seek exceptional, engaged scholars, artists, and/or practitioners who have knowledge of forced displacement, disabilities, and a commitment to developing concrete and creative interventions to benefit displaced people. The CFD Post-doctoral Fellow will have conducted research in related fields, including but not limited to cultural studies, political science, international relations, sociology, anthropology, engineering, or public health. Candidates are expected to have received a Ph.D., MFA, or other terminal degree by September 2025.

The CFD Post-doctoral Fellow will have doctoral level expertise and an ongoing research and/or artistic project related to disability and displacement/migration studies, related to accessible structures, mobilities, borders and journeys, deportation, policy and development, internally displaced people, statelessness, health and wellness of migrants and asylum seekers, or similar projects. The duties of the CFD Post-doctoral Fellow will include conducting and presenting original research and developing new initiatives and programs with a focus on disability and displacement. Post-Doctoral Fellows will also be asked to contribute to the many events, projects, and courses of CFD, including co-authored studies. Post-doctoral Fellows will also have the opportunity to mentor student research projects and contribute to courses and educational programs organized by CFD in Boston and abroad. Teaching responsibilities will depend on the candidate’s experience and interests and will be negotiated in interviews.

Required Skills

This post-doctoral fellowship is located in Boston from summer 2025-2027. We provide a competitive salary and benefits as well as support for research activities and mentoring toward future projects and professional opportunities. Our Post-doctoral Fellows benefit from research support and mentorship as well as a lively and committed atmosphere of intellectual inquiry that is truly interdisciplinary.

To apply, please submit 1) a cover letter that describes how your teaching and research/creative interests fit within the mission of the Center on Forced Displacement and how you will contribute to new initiatives related to disability and displacement, 2) a 20-25 page writing sample (published or unpublished), 3) CV, 4) a 1500-word description of scholarly/creative work, and 5) the names of three references who can speak to your professional and/or scholarly accomplishments. Application materials should be sent as email attachments to Carrie Preston ( cjpresto@bu.edu ). Preference will be given to applications received by August 1, 2025.

About the Center on Forced Displacement

Our Post-doctoral Fellows are core members of CFD, a university-wide research center that fosters interdisciplinary research and engagement with the global challenge of forced displacement. Our projects, research activities, events, and programs bring together multidisciplinary teams of researchers, practitioners, and artists from across schools and colleges at BU and around the world. These collaborations are crucial to helping us better understand the history and sources of forced displacement, clarify the policies and practices that exacerbate or alleviate human suffering, and generate ethical interventions to improve the lives of displaced communities and their hosts.

_We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. _

Required Experience

This post-doctoral fellowship is located in Boston from summer 2025-2027. We provide a competitive salary and benefits as well as support for research activities and mentoring toward future projects and professional opportunities. Our Post-doctoral Fellows benefit from research support and mentorship as well as a lively and committed atmosphere of intellectual inquiry that is truly interdisciplinary.

To apply, please submit 1) a cover letter that describes how your teaching and research/creative interests fit within the mission of the Center on Forced Displacement and how you will contribute to new initiatives related to disability and displacement, 2) a 20-25 page writing sample (published or unpublished), 3) CV, 4) a 1500-word description of scholarly/creative work, and 5) the names of three references who can speak to your professional and/or scholarly accomplishments. Application materials should be sent as email attachments to Carrie Preston ( cjpresto@bu.edu ). Preference will be given to applications received by August 1, 2025.

About the Center on Forced Displacement

Our Post-doctoral Fellows are core members of CFD, a university-wide research center that fosters interdisciplinary research and engagement with the global challenge of forced displacement. Our projects, research activities, events, and programs bring together multidisciplinary teams of researchers, practitioners, and artists from across schools and colleges at BU and around the world. These collaborations are crucial to helping us better understand the history and sources of forced displacement, clarify the policies and practices that exacerbate or alleviate human suffering, and generate ethical interventions to improve the lives of displaced communities and their hosts.

_We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. _