Pre-Doctoral Fellow

Cleveland State University
Engaged Learning

The Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at Cleveland State University invites applications for several 9-month pre‑doctoral (research associate) fellowships for the 2026-27 academic year (August of 2026 through May of 2027). The Center is open to applications from students (for pre-doc positions) from a variety of academic disciplines, including (but not limited to) political science, philosophy, law, economics, literature, history, classics, and sociology.

Successful applicants will receive an annual salary of $70,000 (which will be pro‑rated for 9 months), financial support for research travel, and health benefits for their nine months of residence and participation in the activities of the Center. They will also be provided with office space and access to the Cleveland State University library system and its partner library systems.

The fellowships are designed to provide graduate students with the opportunity to complete their dissertations and launch their scholarly careers in areas that are related in some way (broadly construed) to the Center’s mission “to conduct teaching and research in the historical ideas, traditions, and texts that have shaped the American constitutional order and society.”

Successful applicants will be enrolled in a graduate program having completed all requirements except their final doctoral thesis/dissertation. Once at Cleveland State in September, fellows will be expected to reside in the Greater Cleveland Area, to participate in‑person in the public events sponsored by the Center, and to lead up to four weekly discussion seminars per semester for the Center’s flagship civics course, The American Republic, which introduces CSU students to the American civic tradition mainly through the study of primary core texts, including the Declaration of Independence, selections from Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, The United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, The Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s

Letter from Birmingham Jail.

Main Campus, Greater Cleveland Area.

Supports the Center for Civics, Culture and Society in its mission by conducting research and scholarship in the historical ideas, traditions, and texts that have shaped the American constitutional order and society. Designs and delivers research‑related seminars and workshops for colleagues in the Center and the wider CSU community. Engages in public events and leads weekly civics discussions with students in connection with courses delivered by the Center.

Performs other functionally related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in history, political science, sociology, anthropology, or related degree.
• Full‑time enrollment in a terminal degree program and the achievement of All‑But‑Dissertation (ABD) status.

• Experience in research writing.
• Teaching experience.
• Advanced knowledge in related fields and their interdependency such as political science, philosophy, economics, literature, history, classics, and sociology.

• Proficient in written and verbal communication skills, the ability to make effective presentations, strong public speaking skills, develop and drive change and effectively communicate change.
• Detail‑oriented, have effective project and time management skills and be well organized.

Offer of employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of the University’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or University policies or practices, including but not limited to a criminal background check.

Applications will be exclusively accepted online at http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..html
. Mailed or emailed application materials will not be accepted.

Typical work hours:
Monday – Friday; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Applications must be submitted by April 15, 2026.