Fellowship FAQs
Here are Frequently Asked Questions about the postdoc application process. We highlight common questions relating to eligibility, application materials, and the application process.
FAQ Topics:
Are international students eligible? What about visas?
Yes. For information about visas, please visit Stanford’s Bechtel International Center: http://icenter.stanford.edu
I have a Ph.D in the Social Sciences. Am I eligible to apply?
The Center's fellowship is open to scholars with Ph.Ds in Philosophy and Political Science. J.D. and J.S.D. holders will also be considered.
Are J.D. and J.S.D. holders eligible for the postdoc?
Yes, J.D. and J.S.D. holders are eligible for the fellowship.
If I have a J.D., am I only eligible to apply if I earned my degree in the last 3 years?
Yes, whether you have a Ph.D. or J.D., you must have earned your degree within 3 years from the start of the fellowship (so after September 2012).
Can you tell me if I will be competitive for the fellowship?
We are unable to answer specific queries from prospective applicants about their suitability for the fellowship. We encourage you to look carefully at the expertise and academic interests of scholars affiliated with the Center for Ethics in Society, as applications from scholars whose competence and interests are closely aligned with those of the Center are likely to be the most competitive applicants.
I have not yet defended my dissertation but will shortly before the fellowship would begin. By what date must I complete my degree, and how do I demonstrate proof of completion?
Candidates selected for the fellowships must be able to send us a letter from their institution confirming the completion of the doctoral program. All requirements of the degree must be completed by July 1, 2016.
Are the page limits for writing samples and research statements single or double-spaced?
Double-spaced, please.
Can I submit additional information with my application? (e.g., teaching evaluations, an extra writing sample, course syllabi)
No, we will initially evaluate applicants based on the required information and the online submission system will not allow you to provide additional information.
Is it permissible for applicants to submit two writing samples that total less than 25 pages altogether?
No, the Interfolio system lets you upload only one writing sample.
My recommender is delayed in getting his/her letter to you by the Dec 7 deadline. Will you accept the letter if it arrives after the deadline?
We will begin reviewing applications on December 8 and will review your packet based on what is available at the time of the review. Please be sure to give your letter writers ample time to submit their letters.
My letter writer doesn’t feel comfortable sending her/his letter via the Interfolio Website. Can he/ she send the letter directly to you via email or snail mail?
We strongly encourage the letters to be uploaded directly to Interfolio to assure that your materials are kept together. That said, if this isn’t possible, please have your letter writer contact Anne Newman (arnewman@stanford.edu) directly.
To whom I should address my cover letter?
The letters are read by a committee, so the letter can be addressed "Dear Search Committee."
Should the writing sample be an article that is already published or be part of my doctoral dissertation?
The writing sample can be something that has already been published, a chapter of your dissertation, or something you are submitting for publication. Choose what you think best represents your work and your interests.
Do I need to contact a faculty member from Stanford University or from the Center for Ethics in Society with whom I shall be working?
No, you don't need to contact a faculty member in advance and there is no advantage to doing so. The applications will be circulated among the committee members and a previous conversation will not play into the review process.
When can I submit my materials through Interfolio?
Application materials can be submitted now via Interfolio: http://apply.interfolio.com/32050
What should I include in my teaching portfolio?
Please include a teaching statement that describes your teaching philosophy and a list of courses you are prepared to teach and/or have taught.
