Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation invites applications for the Institute’s Postdoctoral Fellowship. Applications are now open, with awards announced in the spring. We welcome individuals from a variety of disciplines and perspectives who are interested in building a scholarly understanding of cities.
Fellowships at the Mansueto Institute provide exceptional emergent scholars with a unique nurturing environment that includes advanced technical training, a platform for interdisciplinary research, mentoring by senior faculty, and a community of people studying and working on issues impacting cities from a diversity of areas and perspectives.
Postdoctoral fellows come to us with a variety of backgrounds, including traditional social science disciplines such as economics, political science, and sociology, as well as allied disciplines such as public policy, urban planning, and data science.
Appointments
Institute Postdoctoral Fellowships are full-time, year-long appointments that can be renewed for a second year, subject to a mutual agreement. Applicants who have already obtained a tenure-track faculty position often have the option to defer their faculty position for one year to take part in the program and are encouraged to apply.
Positions are structured between the Mansueto Institute and one of the University of Chicago’s Departments or Schools. Appointments require commitment and supervision by a UChicago Faculty member and their Department or School at the University of Chicago.
Fellows may work with faculty director of the Mansueto Institute, Christopher R. Berry, or other faculty who work at the intersection of cities and another discipline. Applicants will be asked to identify one to three faculty members at the University of Chicago with whom they would like to work and include that information in their application. The Mansueto Institute will coordinate with successful applicants to match them with their preferred faculty mentor(s).
Application
Research project proposals should be submitted using the form below and must include:
1. Statement of Purpose
- Abstract (250 words max): What is the problem you seek to address, what is your approach to address this topic, and what specific outcomes will your project deliver?
- Research Plan (750 words max): Please describe your research question(s) and why it/they are novel and important. Also, articulate why this work would benefit from collaboration, anticipated outcomes, and a timeline & key project milestones. Specify follow-on funding opportunities you will target should the project generate expected data, analysis or results.
2. Budget and Budget Narrative (a budget template is available for download; narrative 250 words max)
3. A CV or resume for the project lead
Application
Research project proposals should be submitted using the form below and must include:
1. Statement of Purpose
- Abstract (250 words max): What is the problem you seek to address, what is your approach to address this topic, and what specific outcomes will your project deliver?
- Research Plan (750 words max): Please describe your research question(s) and why it/they are novel and important. Also, articulate why this work would benefit from collaboration, anticipated outcomes, and a timeline & key project milestones. Specify follow-on funding opportunities you will target should the project generate expected data, analysis or results.
2. Budget and Budget Narrative (a budget template is available for download; narrative 250 words max)
3. A CV or resume for the project lead
Application
Research project proposals should be submitted using the form below and must include:
1. Statement of Purpose
- Abstract (250 words max): What is the problem you seek to address, what is your approach to address this topic, and what specific outcomes will your project deliver?
- Research Plan (750 words max): Please describe your research question(s) and why it/they are novel and important. Also, articulate why this work would benefit from collaboration, anticipated outcomes, and a timeline & key project milestones. Specify follow-on funding opportunities you will target should the project generate expected data, analysis or results.
2. Budget and Budget Narrative (a budget template is available for download; narrative 250 words max)
3. A CV or resume for the project lead
Application
Research project proposals should be submitted using the form below and must include:
1. Statement of Purpose
- Abstract (250 words max): What is the problem you seek to address, what is your approach to address this topic, and what specific outcomes will your project deliver?
- Research Plan (750 words max): Please describe your research question(s) and why it/they are novel and important. Also, articulate why this work would benefit from collaboration, anticipated outcomes, and a timeline & key project milestones. Specify follow-on funding opportunities you will target should the project generate expected data, analysis or results.
2. Budget and Budget Narrative (a budget template is available for download; narrative 250 words max)
3. A CV or resume for the project lead
Application
Research project proposals should be submitted using the form below and must include:
1. Statement of Purpose
- Abstract (250 words max): What is the problem you seek to address, what is your approach to address this topic, and what specific outcomes will your project deliver?
- Research Plan (750 words max): Please describe your research question(s) and why it/they are novel and important. Also, articulate why this work would benefit from collaboration, anticipated outcomes, and a timeline & key project milestones. Specify follow-on funding opportunities you will target should the project generate expected data, analysis or results.
2. Budget and Budget Narrative (a budget template is available for download; narrative 250 words max)
3. A CV or resume for the project lead
Application
Research project proposals should be submitted using the form below and must include:
1. Statement of Purpose
- Abstract (250 words max): What is the problem you seek to address, what is your approach to address this topic, and what specific outcomes will your project deliver?
- Research Plan (750 words max): Please describe your research question(s) and why it/they are novel and important. Also, articulate why this work would benefit from collaboration, anticipated outcomes, and a timeline & key project milestones. Specify follow-on funding opportunities you will target should the project generate expected data, analysis or results.
2. Budget and Budget Narrative (a budget template is available for download; narrative 250 words max)
3. A CV or resume for the project lead
Application
Research project proposals should be submitted using the form below and must include:
1. Statement of Purpose
- Abstract (250 words max): What is the problem you seek to address, what is your approach to address this topic, and what specific outcomes will your project deliver?
- Research Plan (750 words max): Please describe your research question(s) and why it/they are novel and important. Also, articulate why this work would benefit from collaboration, anticipated outcomes, and a timeline & key project milestones. Specify follow-on funding opportunities you will target should the project generate expected data, analysis or results.
2. Budget and Budget Narrative (a budget template is available for download; narrative 250 words max)
3. A CV or resume for the project lead
Application
Research project proposals should be submitted using the form below and must include:
1. Statement of Purpose
- Abstract (250 words max): What is the problem you seek to address, what is your approach to address this topic, and what specific outcomes will your project deliver?
- Research Plan (750 words max): Please describe your research question(s) and why it/they are novel and important. Also, articulate why this work would benefit from collaboration, anticipated outcomes, and a timeline & key project milestones. Specify follow-on funding opportunities you will target should the project generate expected data, analysis or results.
2. Budget and Budget Narrative (a budget template is available for download; narrative 250 words max)
3. A CV or resume for the project lead
Application
Research project proposals should be submitted using the form below and must include:
1. Statement of Purpose
- Abstract (250 words max): What is the problem you seek to address, what is your approach to address this topic, and what specific outcomes will your project deliver?
- Research Plan (750 words max): Please describe your research question(s) and why it/they are novel and important. Also, articulate why this work would benefit from collaboration, anticipated outcomes, and a timeline & key project milestones. Specify follow-on funding opportunities you will target should the project generate expected data, analysis or results.
2. Budget and Budget Narrative (a budget template is available for download; narrative 250 words max)
3. A CV or resume for the project lead
Application
Research project proposals should be submitted using the form below and must include:
1. Statement of Purpose
- Abstract (250 words max): What is the problem you seek to address, what is your approach to address this topic, and what specific outcomes will your project deliver?
- Research Plan (750 words max): Please describe your research question(s) and why it/they are novel and important. Also, articulate why this work would benefit from collaboration, anticipated outcomes, and a timeline & key project milestones. Specify follow-on funding opportunities you will target should the project generate expected data, analysis or results.
2. Budget and Budget Narrative (a budget template is available for download; narrative 250 words max)
3. A CV or resume for the project lead
Selection Criteria
Postdoctoral Fellowships are traditional academic appointments housed jointly in the Mansueto Institute and a department or school at the university. Applicants must hold a PhD by the fellowship’s start date.
All recommendation letters and application materials must be received by the deadline. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Application review will begin December 20 and continue until the positions are filled.
Please submit any questions to: ehlee@uchicago.edu
All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
The University’s Statements on Diversity are here.
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Non-discrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.
Apply by completing the application form below, including submitting the following materials:
A cover letter specifying the candidate’s specific interest in the Institute’s mission and their proposed academic Department or School at the University of Chicago, including a faculty member (or members) with whom they would like to work
A one-page research statement, specifying their intended work at the Institute and how it is expected to advance urban scholarship
An up-to-date CV, including links to current work and projects
Three letters of reference. Letters of reference may also be submitted directly to ehlee@uchicago.edu