Application
Each year the Society admits five postdoctoral fellows, who are appointed for two-year terms. The fellows pursue research and teach three courses over four semesters, with one semester for full-time research. They are expected to reside in the Los Angeles area during the academic year and to participate in the scholarly life of the Society, the host department, and the university.
The application for the 2024–2026 cycle is closed. Check back in fall 2024 for information on the next cycle.
The USC Society of Fellows in the Humanities is an interdisciplinary community that supports advanced research by postdoctoral fellows and faculty members, promoting intellectual exchange and interdisciplinary approaches to research and teaching in the humanities and humanistic social sciences. Fellows meet regularly in formal and informal settings to present and discuss advanced scholarly research. Postdoctoral fellows are affiliated with the Society as well as with a USC department of their choice and have faculty mentors in both. Postdoctoral fellows in the humanities engage with each other as well as humanities departments, institutes, and centers at USC and in the broader Los Angeles area.
Applicants will be evaluated on their academic accomplishments, the significance and intellectual merit of their research project, and their potential to contribute to the intellectual life of the Society of Fellows, their affiliated department, and the community of scholars at USC.
Not all departments and programs participate every year. If your preferred department or program is not listed and you do not find an adequate substitute, please check back next cycle. The list of participating departments and programs for the 2024–2026 cycle:
Department of Anthropology
Department of Art History
Department of Classics
Department of Comparative Literature
Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
Department of English
Department of French and Italian
Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies
Department of History
Department of Latin American and Iberian Cultures
Department of Philosophy
Department of Religion
Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures
Department of Sociology
Annenberg School of Communication
Architectural History and Theory (School of Architecture)
Division of Cinema and Media Studies (School of Cinematic Arts)
Musicology (Thornton School of Music)
School of Dramatic Arts
Applicants can access the application portal here or by clicking the “Apply” button below. You will be asked to create an account. Please carefully review our Application Materials, Eligibility, and FAQ pages before submitting your application or reaching out with any questions. Once submitted, applications and documents cannot be changed or updated.