The James Joo-Jin Kim Center for Korean Studies at the University of Pennsylvania invites applications for its 2024-2025 Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) Postdoctoral Fellowship. The postdoctoral fellowship is open to scholars whose research and teaching focus on contemporary Korea in the social sciences broadly defined (e.g., anthropology, communication, economics, education, geography, political science, sociology, and other related disciplines). This fellowship is supported by the Core University Program for Korean Studies through the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and Korean Studies Promotion Service of the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS-2023-OLU-2250002).

The fellowship will cover the 12-month period between August 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025 and provide a stipend of $65,000. The Kim Center will cover the cost of the fellow’s health insurance (including medical, dental, vision, and life). The postdoctoral fellow will also receive an office space and access to libraries and other resources at Penn. The fellowship may be renewed for a second year, based on satisfactory performance, the existence of funding, and programmatic need.

The fellow will be required to: 1) reside in the Philadelphia area; 2) manage the Core University Program project; 3) work with the Kim Center Director to prepare the annual reports of the AKS Core University grant; 4) serve as a liaison between the Kim Center and AKS; and 5) participate in Kim Center events and related activities at Penn. The Kim Center will also support the fellow to conduct her/his own research in conjunction with the Center’s Core University Program project.  

Eligibility

The applicant who is awarded the fellowship must complete all requirements for the Ph.D. degree (dissertation deposited) by July 31, 2024. The applicant must be fluent in written and spoken Korean and English. 

Application Requirements

  • Cover letter (including a description of research agendas as well as skills for, interest in and experiences with managing a project)
  • CV
  • Writing sample (a published/publishable article or a dissertation chapter)
  • Two letters of recommendation (uploaded to Interfolio directly by the recommenders) 

Applications will be accepted only via Interfolio here: http://apply.interfolio.com/137365.

The application must be submitted by 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 28, 2024. Award decisions will be made by early April 2024. 

Our Center values interdisciplinary research, collaboration, and collegiality; is committed to promoting a culturally diverse intellectual community; and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, and underrepresented communities. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class status in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or other University-administered programs or in its employment practices. Questions or concerns about this should be directed to the Executive Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut Street,  Philadelphia, PA 19104-6205; or (215) 898-6993 (Voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD).  

Questions can be directed to: Seok Lee, Associate Director of Academics

Email: kim-pks@sas.upenn.edu