What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Fellow position at University of Michigan?
How to Apply
Applicants Must Submit TWO Separate Applications
Who We Are
The Gerald R. Ford School at the University of Michigan is a community dedicated to the public good. Our mission is to inspire and prepare diverse leaders grounded in service, conduct transformational research, and collaborate on evidence-based policymaking to take on our communities' and our world's most pressing challenges. For more information about the Ford School, please visit: https://fordschool.umich.edu/.
Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan has a long and distinguished history as one of the first public universities in the nation. It is consistently ranked among the nation's top ten public universities. The University has one of the largest health care complexes in the world and one of the best library systems in the United States. With more than $2.04 billion in research expenditures annually, the University has the second-largest research expenditure among all universities in the nation. The University has an annual general fund budget of more than $3.0 billion and an endowment valued at more than $21.2 billion.
From great benefits to on-site wellness programs, the University of Michigan provides resources to support faculty, staff, and their family's health and happiness. For instance, the University of Michigan offers comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, child care centers and a retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions and immediate vesting. Dual career support from the Provost's Office is available to domestic partners of faculty recruits regardless of marital status or sexual orientation. To learn more about the great benefits the University of Michigan provides, please visit https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness.
Job Summary
The University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy invites applicants for the University of Michigan Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP) (http://presidentspostdoc.umich.edu/index.php). In keeping with the PPFP program, the Ford School seeks applicants whose research, teaching, and service will, as determined by the University of Michigan and in accordance with law, contribute to the core values of the University of Michigan, and to equal opportunity in higher education. The program is particularly interested in scholars with the potential to bring to their research and teaching the critical perspective that comes from their non-traditional educational background or understanding of the experiences of groups historically underrepresented in higher education. Candidates will be evaluated on fit with current needs and strengths of the institution and future funding possibilities.
The Ford School views this postdoctoral fellowship as an exceptional opportunity to attract outstanding scholars with the potential to successfully transition from a postdoctoral fellowship to a tenure-track faculty position. Accordingly, we seek applicants whose research, teaching, and scholarly trajectory demonstrate strong promise for long-term success as members of our faculty.
In addition to the materials required by the University of Michigan PPFP, applicants to Ford School of Public Policy must submit the following materials to Interfolio by September 13th. Please note that some of these materials duplicate those to be submitted to the University of Michigan application system.
Candidates must identify at least 1 potential faculty mentor at the Ford School (in the cover letter). A description of the requirements and expectations for mentors can be found here: https://presidentspostdoc.umich.edu/mentors.php. We ask that applicants refrain from contacting potential mentors regarding the search process: successful applicants will be contacted by Ford School representatives and their identified mentors to provide the necessary letters of support for consideration at the University level.
Required Qualifications*
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Focus On International Policy
The focus of this postdoctoral fellowship will be on International Policy. Examples of topical focus include (but are not limited to) sustainability and climate change, global migration, war, conflict, state-building and the political economy of development, great power competition, global governance and international organizations, human rights, technology and digital policy, area studies and foreign policy. Successful candidates must demonstrate a record of research impact; ability and willingness to teach core and elective courses in public policy; interest in public and policy engagement; and a keen interest in interacting with students, faculty, staff, and policy practitioners in an interdisciplinary professional school environment. Candidates should combine relevant substantive expertise with strong interests in public policy.
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 will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Applicants Must Submit TWO Separate Applications
- PPFP candidates applying to Ford School must submit the following materials electronically through Interfolio: https://apply.interfolio.com/189148. (Consideration of applications will begin immediately. Applications must be submitted by September 13, 2026, as the job posting will close for review on that date.)
- Cover letter, which should name at least one potential mentor at Ford School of Public Policy
- Postdoctoral Research Proposal - 700-1,000 words (not including references)
- Education and Background Statement - 500-700 words describing your academic background and career
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of current and future research plans
- Statement of teaching activities and experience
- Three (3) writing samples
- Three (3) letters of reference (submitted separately by referees)
- Applicants must also apply directly through the University of Michigan President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP) site (http://presidentspostdoc.umich.edu/ppfp-application.php) by November 1, 2026 (note, this application will open September 1, 2026)
Who We Are
The Gerald R. Ford School at the University of Michigan is a community dedicated to the public good. Our mission is to inspire and prepare diverse leaders grounded in service, conduct transformational research, and collaborate on evidence-based policymaking to take on our communities' and our world's most pressing challenges. For more information about the Ford School, please visit: https://fordschool.umich.edu/.
Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan has a long and distinguished history as one of the first public universities in the nation. It is consistently ranked among the nation's top ten public universities. The University has one of the largest health care complexes in the world and one of the best library systems in the United States. With more than $2.04 billion in research expenditures annually, the University has the second-largest research expenditure among all universities in the nation. The University has an annual general fund budget of more than $3.0 billion and an endowment valued at more than $21.2 billion.
From great benefits to on-site wellness programs, the University of Michigan provides resources to support faculty, staff, and their family's health and happiness. For instance, the University of Michigan offers comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, child care centers and a retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions and immediate vesting. Dual career support from the Provost's Office is available to domestic partners of faculty recruits regardless of marital status or sexual orientation. To learn more about the great benefits the University of Michigan provides, please visit https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness.
Job Summary
The University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy invites applicants for the University of Michigan Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP) (http://presidentspostdoc.umich.edu/index.php). In keeping with the PPFP program, the Ford School seeks applicants whose research, teaching, and service will, as determined by the University of Michigan and in accordance with law, contribute to the core values of the University of Michigan, and to equal opportunity in higher education. The program is particularly interested in scholars with the potential to bring to their research and teaching the critical perspective that comes from their non-traditional educational background or understanding of the experiences of groups historically underrepresented in higher education. Candidates will be evaluated on fit with current needs and strengths of the institution and future funding possibilities.
The Ford School views this postdoctoral fellowship as an exceptional opportunity to attract outstanding scholars with the potential to successfully transition from a postdoctoral fellowship to a tenure-track faculty position. Accordingly, we seek applicants whose research, teaching, and scholarly trajectory demonstrate strong promise for long-term success as members of our faculty.
In addition to the materials required by the University of Michigan PPFP, applicants to Ford School of Public Policy must submit the following materials to Interfolio by September 13th. Please note that some of these materials duplicate those to be submitted to the University of Michigan application system.
Candidates must identify at least 1 potential faculty mentor at the Ford School (in the cover letter). A description of the requirements and expectations for mentors can be found here: https://presidentspostdoc.umich.edu/mentors.php. We ask that applicants refrain from contacting potential mentors regarding the search process: successful applicants will be contacted by Ford School representatives and their identified mentors to provide the necessary letters of support for consideration at the University level.
Required Qualifications*
- Ph.D. in an area such as Political Science, Public Policy, Economics, or Sociology with a focus on policy-relevant research on international politics
- A strong interest in teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels
- A strong commitment to interdisciplinary research
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Focus On International Policy
The focus of this postdoctoral fellowship will be on International Policy. Examples of topical focus include (but are not limited to) sustainability and climate change, global migration, war, conflict, state-building and the political economy of development, great power competition, global governance and international organizations, human rights, technology and digital policy, area studies and foreign policy. Successful candidates must demonstrate a record of research impact; ability and willingness to teach core and elective courses in public policy; interest in public and policy engagement; and a keen interest in interacting with students, faculty, staff, and policy practitioners in an interdisciplinary professional school environment. Candidates should combine relevant substantive expertise with strong interests in public policy.
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 will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.