Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity: Svare-Toven Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow – Pacific Lutheran University

Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity: Svare-Toven Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow – Pacific Lutheran University

• Institution: Pacific Lutheran University

• College: College of Liberal Studies

• Position: Svare-Toven Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow

• Posting Number: 0603141

• Position Type: Faculty

• Appointment Type: Full-Time, Residential Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship

• Academic Rank Equivalent: Visiting Assistant Professor

• Duration: 1 Academic Year

• Possible Renewal: Up to a maximum of 2 years

• Location: Tacoma, Washington, United States

• Salary / Remuneration: Approximately INR 45.58 lakh annually

• Additional Support: Campus housing plus USD 3,000 moving allowance

• Posting Date: October 16, 2026

• Application Deadline: January 4, 2027

• Fellowship Period: September 1, 2027 – May 31, 2028

Overview of the Fellowship

Pacific Lutheran University invites applications for the Svare-Toven Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship, a one-year residential fellowship designed to support the pedagogical development of recent Ph.D. graduates with expertise in Scandinavian Studies or a humanities/social science discipline with a primary scholarly focus on Scandinavia.

One fellow is appointed each academic year at a rank equivalent to Visiting Assistant Professor.

The fellowship emphasizes undergraduate teaching, faculty mentorship, scholarly development, and engagement with PLU’s Scandinavian heritage and academic community.

Academic Fields

Eligible candidates may hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in:

• Scandinavian Studies

• Anthropology

• Economics

• Environmental Studies

• Ethnomusicology

• Gender / Sexuality Studies

• History

• Indigenous Studies

• Languages

• Literature

• Philosophy

• Political Science

• Religious Studies / Theology

• Sociology

For disciplines other than Scandinavian Studies, the applicant’s primary scholarly focus must be on Scandinavia.

Teaching Responsibilities

The fellow will teach four undergraduate courses during the academic year:

• 1 course in the Fall semester

• 1 course during J-Term

• 2 courses in the Spring semester

Teaching may include:

• First-Year Experience courses

• Upper-division courses

• Co-teaching opportunities

The fellowship is designed specifically to provide time and support for developing the craft of undergraduate teaching in a liberal arts environment.

Additional Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Participate in PLU’s faculty mentorship programme.

• Engage in teaching mentorship.

• Present scholarly work through campus or community events.

• Collaborate with the Scandinavian Cultural Center.

• Contribute to the intellectual and cultural life of Pacific Lutheran University.

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Have received the Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree no earlier than December 2025.

• Have the degree completed no later than September 1, 2027.

• Hold a qualifying degree with a strong scholarly focus on Scandinavia.

• Be an emerging teacher-scholar.

• Not yet be tenured or on the tenure track since completing the Ph.D.

• Demonstrate enthusiasm for undergraduate teaching in a liberal arts setting.

• Demonstrate commitment to effective and inclusive teaching.

• Be able to work effectively with a diverse faculty and student body.

• Possess strong communication skills.

• Be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Applicants Completing Their Ph.D.

Candidates who have not yet formally received the Ph.D. may apply if the degree will be completed by September 1, 2027.

Such applicants must provide confirmation from their home institution, such as from:

• Department Chair

• Head of Graduate Studies

• Academic Advisor

The confirmation should verify the anticipated degree-award schedule.

Salary / Fellowship Support

The fellowship provides:

USD 48,000

Approximately:

INR 45.58 lakh

Additional support includes:

• Benefits

• Campus apartment for the duration of the fellowship

• USD 3,000 moving allowance

• Faculty mentoring

• Professional development opportunities

Housing is provided from August 15, 2027 through May 31, 2028.

Application Checklist

Applications must be submitted in English and should include:

1. Fellowship Proposal – Maximum 2,000 Words

   The proposal should address:

   • Teaching philosophy

   • Teaching experience, if applicable

   • Experience working with a diverse student body

   • Scholarly agenda

   • Potential contributions to the fellowship

   • How the applicant would benefit from the fellowship

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Three Professional References

   • Names

   • Contact information

References should be able to discuss the applicant’s qualifications, previous work, and potential as a postdoctoral teaching fellow.

Nature of Appointment

• Full-Time Fellowship

• Faculty Appointment

• Residential

• Academic-Year Appointment

• Rank Equivalent to Visiting Assistant Professor

• Benefits Eligible

• One-Year Appointment

• Possible Renewal for a Maximum of Two Years

Important Dates

• Posting Date: October 16, 2026

• Application Deadline: January 4, 2027

• Housing Begins: August 15, 2027

• New Faculty Orientation: Late August 2027

• Fellowship Begins: September 1, 2027

• Classes Begin: September 7, 2027

• Fellowship Ends: May 31, 2028

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the Pacific Lutheran University employment portal.

Posting Number: 0603141

Application / Posting Link:
https://employment.plu.edu/postings/8942

For questions about the fellowship:

Contact: Dean Johnson
Email: stephanie.johnson@plu.edu

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