Job Description

The Stone Center for Inequality Dynamics (CID) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. CID is a multidisciplinary research center that carries out cutting-edge substantive and methodological research on social and economic inequality and helps expand the scientific data infrastructure available to support the study of this topic. CID is housed at the Institute for Social Research, (ISR), one of the world’s largest social science research organizations. https://www.inequalitydynamics.umich.edu/

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PRF) will be a central contributor to an NSF-funded project on positional inequality under the supervision of Principal Investigators (PIs) Profs. Fabian Pfeffer and Ethan Fosse. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be a vital contributor to various aspects of this project.

The primary function of the PRF is to conduct in-depth literature reviews on the emerging field of what we term “positional sociology,” which lies at the intersection of the literatures on social stratification, analytical sociology, and social theory. Substantive topics examined include studies of socioeconomic mobility, marital heterogamy, status inconsistency, and social deviance. This project will primarily involve writing detailed documents summarizing key research findings, theoretical advances, and analytical tools related to positional sociology. The PRF will be expected to synthesize complex ideas and concepts from multiple sources into concise and clearly written memos that will serve as the basis for further project development.

The PRF will be given dedicated time to pursue their own scholarly projects as well as an affiliation with CID. The affiliation with CID will not only provide the possibility of an enriching atmosphere for the PRF's independent and collaborative research, but will also position them within a network of distinguished scholars and professionals in the field.

Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the project’s PIs and in close collaboration with the PIs and other team members, the PRF’s main responsibilities will be the following:

• Conducting comprehensive literature reviews related to the project using Zotero and/or related citation software
• Drafting memos on theoretical and analytical topics related to social positions, including literature on social stratification, analytical sociology, and sociological theory
• Drafting memos on substantive topics, including socioeconomic mobility, martial heterogamy, status inconsistency, and social deviance
• Assisting in the writing of a theory-oriented manuscript on positional inequality

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in Sociology (awarded by the position’s start date)
• Demonstrated success in designing and completing ambitious academic research projects
  
• Broad exposure to and contributions to sociological theory
  
• Experience with Zotero and/or related citation software as well as structured literature reviews
  
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with excellent verbal and written communication skills

Desired Qualifications

• Expertise in social inequality, including its theoretical aspects
  
• Previously conducted research related to one or more of the following substantive topics: socioeconomic mobility, marital heterogamy, status inconsistency, and social deviance
  
• Ability to interpret quantitative results in sociology and related fields
  
• Experience using Zoom and/or other video communication platforms

Application Instructions

To be considered for this position, applicants should submit the following materials: a cover letter, CV, two examples of scholarly work, and contact information for three references who can supply a letter of recommendation. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is closed or filled. All application materials must be submitted via Interfolio.

All general inquiries and questions about the position can be submitted to Fabian Pfeffer, fpfeffer@umich.edu, and Ethan Fosse, ethan.fosse@utoronto.ca

The anticipated start date is October 1, 2023 but an earlier or later start date is a possibility. The appointment is for one year with a potential half-year extension contingent upon performance and funding.

Work Locations
This position may be eligible for hybrid remote and/or flexible work opportunities made available within our overall Center policies.

Additional Information
The salary range is $55,000-60,000 plus benefits and travel funds.

The Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Institute for Social Research job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience of the candidate.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.