POSITION DESCRIPTION

The University of California, Irvine’s Humanities Center invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral scholar, starting January 2025 with an annual starting salary of $66,737, to implement the James Irvine Foundation funded project, The Historic Origins Project investigating Economic inequality in Orange County (HOPE-OC). The project has three goals:
To advance research on the history of land, race, and Indigeneity in Orange County and analyze how this history shapes contemporary forms of economic and racial inequality.
To research the origins and development of the Irvine Ranch and the establishment of The James Irvine Foundation as an important example of this history.

To promote public dissemination of this scholarship and community dialogue about the contemporary ramifications of this history.

Project activities will include:

• Create a coordinating research team, which consists of the postdoctoral scholar working with the principal investigator, consultant, and summer graduate research fellows.
• Identify, convene, and support 10-12 scholars and community-based researchers to serve as individual contributors to a collective scholarly project.
• Conduct original research on the history of The James Irvine Foundation through 1977 using archival materials and oral histories, as relevant.
• Publish a collective anthology with an academic press or journal.
• Promote academic and public conversation about the research findings.

The HOPE-OC Postdoctoral Scholar will be appointed in the UCI Humanities Center and affiliated with the Center for Liberation, Anti-Racism, and Belonging. The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant field (with preference given to scholars with training in Indigenous Studies and specialization in Southern California), ideally with knowledge and experience that is directly suited to these project activities (such as experience with community-based research and community-centered collaborations). The postdoctoral scholar will be mentored throughout by Dr. Judy Tzu-Chun Wu (Principal Investigator) with support from Dr. Priscilla Leiva (Research Collaborator).

Duties include:

• Co-researching and co-authoring a 30–40-page chapter/essay and executive summary on the history of The James Irvine Foundation through 1977
• Co-convening workshops and public events that explore the historical and contemporary significance of the relationship between land, power, race, Indigeneity, and economic inequality in Orange County
• Co-editing a published academic work (special journal issue or anthology) with contributions from scholars and community-based researchers
• Potentially co-producing a series of op-eds, podcasts, and other public facing content to foster community dialogue
• Potentially contributing own research to the publication or producing other publications that draw from research during the postdoctoral fellowship

UCI Postdoctoral Scholars are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of California and the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW).

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications (required at time of application) PhD in a relevant field (with preference given to scholars with training in Indigenous Studies and specialization in Southern California).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Inclusive Excellence Activities Statement - Statement addressing how past and/or potential contributions to inclusive excellence will advance UCI's Commitment to Inclusive Excellence. See our guidance for writing an inclusive excellence activities statement.
• Sexual Misconduct, Harassment and Discrimination Declaration Form - All applicants of academic positions at the University of California, Irvine must download, complete, sign, and upload the following form with their application: Sexual Misconduct, Harassment and Discrimination Declaration Form

Reference requirements

3 required (contact information only)

Please provide contact information for three (3) references. References will only be contacted if the applicant is selected for final consideration.

Apply at https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF09331.

About UC Irvine

ABOUT UC IRVINE The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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