Job Details

2025-26 Research Associateship
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Position Number: 5768996
Location: Northampton, MA
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

2025-26 Research Associateship
Five Colleges, Inc.

Location: Amherst, MA
Open Date: Oct 30, 2024

Description:
The Five College Women's Studies Research Center announces a call for applications for the Research Associate Program for the 2025-26 academic year.

About the Center

Founded in 1991, the Five College Women's Studies Research Center is a vibrant site of local, national, and international engaged, critical feminist scholarship, cultural production, and activism from diverse perspectives. The Center has a rich history of supporting transnational work, with a recognition of the diverse pathways and plurality of forms that feminist creative and academic scholarship can take. Located on the campus of Hampshire College, the Center is supported by the Five College Consortium, which includes Hampshire College as well as Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Since 1966, the five institutions have been noted for their cooperation and innovation in higher education and boast one of the largest concentrations of women's and gender studies scholars anywhere in the world. Research Associates are encouraged to take advantage of Five College and surrounding area libraries, archives, and resources.

Opportunities & Expectations

The Center's hub at Hampshire College includes dedicated, quiet office space for Research Associates; a large seminar room; a community lounge; a flex office; and expansive outdoor space. Over the course of a semester or full academic year, Research Associates undertake their projects within an interdisciplinary feminist community, participating in regular weekly programming and special events across the Five College Consortium. Associates also share knowledge about their areas of specialization through workshops or symposia. An Associateship offers access to writing accountability groups; professional development workshops; networking opportunities with leading scholars and feminist makers; and surrounding area libraries, archives, and resources.

Research Associates are expected to establish the Center as their work-home for the duration of their appointment. A typical Research Associate week is as follows:

Monday: Morning co-working session with the FCWSRC Feminist Writing Community

Tuesday: Independent work punctuated by periodic excursions to Five College campuses and local cultural institutions

Thursday: Weekly cohort work-in-progress sessions

Wednesdays and Fridays are reserved for solo work, independent visits to archives and libraries, and other self-defined activities that support Research Associate projects.

Travel, housing and living expenses are the responsibility of Research Associates. While we are unable to provide funding, the Center is committed to supporting feminist scholars who are seeking funding to support their Research Associateship.

We recognize that travel or relocation for an extended period of time may not be possible for many different reasons. In addition to the Research Associate Program, the Center co-hosts scholars and creatives who are visiting the area to work with Five College faculty, conduct research using local resources, give guest talks, or collaborate with others in the area. We welcome inquiries about possibilities for shorter term visits at this form.

Important Dates

December 10, 2024, 1-2pm EST: Information session via Zoom with Director, Program Coordinator, and current Research Associates. Registration required.

January 22, 2025, 10-11:30am EST: Application office hours and consultations via Zoom, featuring individual conversations with the Director and Program Coordinator. Registration required.

January 31, 2025, 11:59pm EST: Priority deadline for 1) scholars applying for the 2025-26 academic year and 2) prospective 2026-27 Research Associates applying for funding for which a conditional acceptance or host invitation letter is required. Scholars requesting a letter of institutional support for a funding proposal after the priority deadline must contact the Center to arrange submission of the same application materials. Unfortunately, we cannot review materials from May to September.

March 15, 2025: Notifications of acceptance are distributed to applicants; in April accepted applicants attend a pre-orientation information session via Zoom.

Application Instructions:
To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/157997

A complete application entails the submission two online forms, a project proposal, and a CV via Interfolio. Please refer to our full Call for Applications and/or our wesbite to (1) ensure that you project proposal meets the four criteria for which it will be evaluated and (2) prepare the details requested in the online application forms.

Smith College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or veteran status in the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by all applicable laws and regulations. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.