Postdoctoral Fellows in Democratic Deliberation

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Postdoctoral Fellows in Democratic Deliberation Classification Title Administrative Full Time (.75-1.0 FTE) Benefits Eligibility

Benefits Eligibility

Department Provost Office Job Description

Hope College is hiring two Postdoctoral Fellows who study democratic deliberation, civil dialogue, and/or virtuous public discourse to support the GRACE Program at Hope College. These two-year positions are funded by a FIPSE Grant from the US Department of Education; they begin in 2027 (start date is flexible but no later than August 2027) and conclude at the termination of the Spring 2029 semester.

The GRACE Program at Hope College is a campus-wide initiative led by Provost Griffin and Dr. Sarah Kornfield. It includes a student learning community, campus events and programming, community engagement, public scholarship, and curricular development. Successful candidates will demonstrate their ability to contribute to the life and success of this program.

Two Postdoctoral Fellows will contribute to advancing the theory and practice of civil dialogue. Under the guidance of faculty mentor, Professor Sarah Kornfield, the Postdoctoral Fellows will teach one course per year and engage in research that strengthens civil discourse pedagogy. The Postdoctoral Fellows will help Hope in advancing civil dialogue on campus and will become excellent candidates to champion civil dialogue at premier colleges and universities across the nation. This role provides valuable teaching experience while enhancing the project's academic and research impact.

Hope College is a residential, Christian Liberal Arts College located in Holland, Michigan. Hope College is committed to undergraduate research and education and the GRACE Program highlights Hope College's leadership in educating students for lives of civic leadership and service in a global society.

Responsibilities include:

• Teaching one course per year
• Supporting and providing leadership for the student learning community
• Supporting and providing leadership for campus events and programming
• Supporting and providing leadership for community engagement
• Supporting and providing leadership for curricular development
• Developing public scholarship

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Ph.D. with focus in rhetoric, democracy, politics, or closely related field, ABD considered
• Evidence of effective undergraduate teaching
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Physical Demands

This position requires remaining in a sitting or standing position for frequent periods of time; uses office machinery such as a computers, printers, copy machines; Occasionally involves moving items over 10 pounds; frequently will move between different offices/workspaces/buildings; and requires effective communication abilities. In the case of temporary or permanent condition(s) that require(s) accommodation(s), reasonable accommodation(s) may be requested.

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check. Some positions may have position specific requirements, such as education/licensure/certification verification, a physical, drug screening, credit checks and/or transportation record review.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number 2026-026SR Job Posting Open Date 08/11/2026 Job Posting Close Date 10/01/2026 Open Until Filled No Is this position available for sponsorship No Special Instructions to Applicants