Postdoctoral Associate

The Virginia Center for Civil War Studies and the History Department of Virginia Tech invite applications for a two-year postdoctoral associate position in the history of the American Civil War era that will begin in August 2025. The successful applicant will benefit from professional mentoring, the opportunity to gain experience planning and participating in academic and public outreach activities, and access to the extensive Civil War era holdings of Virginia Tech’s Special Collections and University Archives (http://spec.lib.vt.edu/).

The Virginia Center for Civil War Studies is housed in Virginia Tech’s History Department. The Center strives to promote deeper understanding of all aspects of Civil War era history among academics, members of the public, K-12 teachers and students, and college students. The Center sponsors academic conferences and lectures, public outreach events and projects, digital humanities projects, research grants, and student scholarships.

We welcome applications from those pursuing tenure-track positions and/or alt-ac career paths. Members of groups historically underrepresented in the professoriate are especially encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities
• Make significant progress on a scholarly project such as a book or article manuscript, a digital project, or a museum exhibit
• Teach one course per semester in Virginia Tech’s History Department
• Organize, in conjunction with the Center Director, either an outreach project or an academic symposium/conference
• Contribute to the research activities and public outreach programs of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies, participating in events such as the Civil War Weekend

• Ph.D. in history or a related discipline with emphasis on any aspect of the Civil War era, broadly conceived. The Ph.D. must have been received by the time of appointment, and not more than three years prior to the date of appointment
• Record demonstrating potential for excellence in research
• Record demonstrating potential for excellence in teaching
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively with faculty, students, and members of the public
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to contribute to the growth of an inclusive campus culture
• Strong interest in, and commitment to, working with diverse populations

Restricted

Commensurate with Experience

February 24, 2025

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.