Though CMS is not currently accepting applications for postdoctoral associates, it has traditionally made available a limited number of appointments for recent Ph.D recipients whose fields of expertise are directly related to the research and teaching goals of the program. These appointments are made for at least one year and may be renewable up to four years, but they are not long-term or career appointments. Our current postdoctoral associates and fellows can be found on our Visiting Scholars and Postdocs page.

Postdoctoral Associates

Postdoctoral Associates are usually associated with one of the sponsored research projects in CMS. As these positions become available, they are announced on MIT's job listings web site and advertised in professional and scholarly publications.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Postdoctoral Fellows come to MIT with grants or fellowships from outside funding agencies or government entities, in order to develop their scholarly and research skills. Funding must be secured prior to making an application for appointment as a Postdoctoral Fellow, and the dates of the appointment must match the dates of the funding.

The Associate Provost and Vice President for Research set salary ranges for postdoctoral scholars (associates and fellows). Foreign nationals bringing their own fellowships must meet a financial minimum that varies from year to year. The minimum funding is $39,264 for the 2012-2013 year.

If an international scholar is invited to CMS as a Postdoctoral Fellow, MIT will sponsor a visa application for the candidate. Successful candidates will have research interests directly related to one of the current Research Projects in CMS.

How to Apply as a Postdoctoral Fellow

Please send the following information.

1. A letter describing the kind of work you would like to do while at MIT and the particular research group or faculty member whose research interests coincide with you own. Also include the dates you would like to visit.
2. A curriculum vitae.
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. At least one publication or writing sample.

For foreign visitors, the start date cannot be less than 90 days from the date the completed application is received. The application and all its parts (letters, etc.) should be addressed to CMS Head James Paradis, and mailed or e-mailed to the following address:

Jessica Dennis
Comparative Media Studies
77 Massachusetts Avenue, 14E-338
Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
jdennis[at]mit[dot]edu