Carlos E. Castañeda Postdoctoral Fellowship

Current Appointment: September 1, 2024—August 31, 2026

Next Appointment: September 1, 2026—August 31, 2028

Location: Austin, TX

Next application period: September 1, 2025 to January 29, 2026
Closes: Monday, January 29, 2026, 6 p.m. CST,
The Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin is pleased to announce the Carlos E. Castañeda Postdoctoral Fellowship in Mexican American Studies. Supported by the Office of the President, this postdoctoral fellowship was established in memory of Professor Carlos Eduardo Castañeda (1896–1958), a UT Austin alumnus, librarian, and faculty member who was instrumental in the creation of the renown LLILAS Benson Latin American Collection. This postdoctoral fellowship appointment period begins September 1, 2026 and ends August 31, 2028.

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Expectations

Reside in Austin area during the academic years of appointment.
Actively participate in the activities of Latino Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
Engage with and/or make use of the archival materials at the LLILAS Benson Latin American Collection.
Acknowledge the support of Latino Studies and other University of Texas at Austin resources in any projects or publications that emerge from the fellowship year.
Make a public presentation to a Latino Studies audience on a topic researched during the period of the post-doc.

Stipend and Benefits

Each fellowship will provide a stipend of $60,000, shared office space, research and travel funds, and health insurance benefits. The University of Texas at Austin is unable to pay salaries through home institution(s).

Qualifications

We encourage those in the early stages of their academic career to apply for this fellowship. Applicants must have completed their doctoral degree within the three years prior to the beginning of the fellowship year. The doctoral degree must be awarded by June 30, 2026 for consideration. Failure to comply will result in a significantly reduced award and/or change in appointment. Current UT Austin faculty members and recent UT Austin doctoral recipients are not eligible.

Application Instructions

A complete application will consist of the following materials:

Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae
Research Proposal (not to exceed 10 double-spaced pages)
Writing Sample (not to exceed 25 double-spaced pages)
Official Academic Transcript (from the doctoral-granting institution with proof of degree conferral)
Three letters of reference that speaks to the merits of the proposed project

The application deadline is Monday, January 29, 2026, 6 p.m. CST

Please upload your cover letter, CV, research proposal, writing sample, and official transcript to Workday. Your references may email letters of recommendation directly to Michael G. Lopez, Administrative Associate for CMAS, at michael.lopez@austin.utexas.edu. Only complete application packets will be considered.

Employment Eligibility:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the 2021 report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe, Suite UTA 2.206, Austin, TX 78701.