The American Bar Foundation (ABF), in partnership with AccessLex Institute, is committed to developing the next generation of scholars interested in empirical and interdisciplinary research on legal and higher education. Since 2017, the ABF has hosted doctoral and postdoctoral fellows in the ABF/AccessLex Fellowship Program in Legal & Higher Education. The purpose of the fellowship is to assist emerging scholars who are studying issues of access, affordability, or value in legal and higher education. This fellowship program seeks to cultivate a professional network of scholars who will produce innovative, objective, empirical, and interdisciplinary research in the field. The ABF invites applications for one postdoctoral fellowship that will begin in Fall 2024.

Awards

The Postdoctoral Fellow will receive an annual stipend of $65,000 and benefits from the ABF for up to two academic years (24 months). The Fellow will also have access to a modest research account to reimburse expenses associated with research, travel to meet with advisors, or travel to conferences at which papers are presented. Reasonable relocation expenses may be reimbursed.

Tenure

The Fellowship will be awarded for up to two academic years, beginning Fall 2024.

Conditions

Fellowships are held in residence at the ABF and are full time. Because this is a full-time program, the ABF does not allow fellows to hold concurrent fellowships, but we support fellows to apply for research grants. Fellows are expected to participate fully in the academic life of the ABF so that they may develop close collegial ties with ABF faculty and other scholars in residence.

Eligibility

Applications are invited from outstanding candidates who have received (within the last two years) their LLM degrees, SJD degrees, and/or Ph.D. degrees across a broad range of disciplines, or who have completed their degree by September 1, 2024. Their research must address significant issues in the field and show promise of a major contribution to social scientific understanding of legal or higher education. Candidates from underrepresented minority groups and those attending schools not typically represented among law faculty are especially encouraged to apply. Fellows must reside in Illinois and, as W-2 employees of the ABF, must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that we do not have the institutional capacity to sponsor visas through the Department of Homeland Security.

How to Apply:

Please access the application form through the button on the top of this page.

Applicants must include:

1. 1-2 page cover letter of application;
2. 2-3 page description of a research project or interest that relates to legal or higher education;
3. resume or curriculum vitae;
4. a writing sample, reflective of a candidate’s best work and appropriate to a candidate’s discipline;
5. names and contact information of 3 referees that we may contact if appropriate, one of whom should be the applicant’s dissertation chairperson or LLM/SJD advisor; and
6. a Contributions to Diversity Statement, 2-3 pages in length, highlighting demonstrated and planned efforts to promote diversity and equity through their research or other work, including detailed examples and descriptions that demonstrate both understanding and actions in the following three areas:
   1. Awareness of and ability to articulate understanding regarding diversity broadly conceived, and historical, social, and economic factors that influence the underrepresentation of particular groups in academia. Life experience may be an important aspect of this understanding.
   2. A track record, calibrated to career stage, of engagement and activity related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Specific details about these activities should be provided, including goals, strategies, outcomes, and your role in the cited activities. Strong evidence typically consists of multiple examples of action from undergraduate through current career stage.
   3. Specific, concrete goals, plans, and priorities for engagement on diversity, equity, and inclusion as a potential law faculty member.

If you have questions about the application process or the position, please visit the program webpage. 

About the Partners

The American Bar Foundation (ABF) is a research institute committed to the principle that a deep understanding of the law is vital to a more just, equitable world. The ABF seeks to expand knowledge and advance justice through innovative, interdisciplinary, and rigorous empirical research on law, legal processes, and legal institutions. To further this mission, the ABF will produce timely, cutting-edge research of the highest quality to inform and guide the legal profession, the academy, and society in the United States and internationally. The ABF’s primary funding is provided by the American Bar Endowment and the Fellows of The American Bar Foundation.

AccessLex Institute® fosters broad-based access to quality legal education for talented, purpose-driven students and works to maximize the value and affordability of a law degree through policy advocacy, research and student-focused initiatives. Learn more at AccessLex.org.

Cluster Hire in Education Policy, Postdoctoral Scholars

Graduate School of Education

University of Pennsylvania

We are seeking 3 postdoctoral scholars in Education Policy at the University of Pennsylvania

Graduate School of Education. Two of these positions will be in Policy Analysis; one position will

be in Economic Evaluation. An earned doctoral degree in economics of education, education

policy, economics, public policy, or a related field is required before the start date. Strong

organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills are essential. Also highly valued are

personal initiative, strong writing skills, and effective collaboration experience. All positions are

in-person and based in Philadelphia.

2 Postdoctoral Positions in Policy Analysis

The start date for these 2-year positions is planned for July 1, 2025. One postdoctoral fellow will

work closely with Professor Michael Gottfried to analyze two statewide datasets to estimate effects

of absenteeism in urban versus rural America. The postdoctoral scholar will have opportunities to

explore these datasets to independent lead papers and projects. Another postdoctoral fellow will

work closely with Professor Sade Bonilla on research initiatives involving collaborative

engagement with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) on topics including teacher labor

markets and leadership. Furthermore, the candidate will be positioned to lend their quasi-

experimental expertise in the evaluation of other SDP initiatives.

Review of applications will be done jointly by Professors Gottfried and Bonilla beginning

November 1, 2024 until the positions are filled. Applications should be uploaded via Interfolio at

http://apply.interfolio.com/152452. Please include: (1) A single cover letter addressed to

Professors Gottfried and Bonilla; (2) Curriculum vitae; and (3) Contact information for three

references.
 

1 Postdoctoral Position at the Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education

This 2-year position will begin in late spring 2025. The postdoc will support the IES Methods

Training Program in Economic Evaluation, with the intent of developing the postdoc’s expertise

and preparation to apply and teach these methods. There will be opportunities for co-authorship

through the training program, as well as ongoing work on vulnerability in early childhood and the

effects of state policy on student engagement.

Review of applications will be done by Professor Bowden, beginning December 1, 2024 until the

position is filled. Applications should be uploaded via Interfolio at

http://apply.interfolio.com/152453. Please include: (1) Cover letter addressed to Professor

Bowden; (2) Curriculum vitae; and (3) Contact information for three references.

*The University of Pennsylvania is an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer and is

committed to diversity. Penn GSE seeks candidates who, through their research, teaching, and

service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. The Division

of Education Policy strongly encourages applications from individuals who identify as members

of groups who represent underrepresented, marginalized, or under-resourced backgrounds.

Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer
 
About the Opportunity
 
Fayetteville State University, in collaboration with the UNC System, is seeking an experienced professional to serve as Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer. The Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer shall oversee the following major areas: fiscal and financial analysis, management and oversight of the university budget, facilities and capital planning, and risk and financial oversight to ensure strong financial health for the institution.
 
The Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance is a member of FSU's senior leadership team and works directly with the Chancellor of the University and the senior leadership team. The position serves as the chief financial officer of the university. The Vice Chancellor is responsible for ensuring the fiscal and administrative integrity of the university and overseeing all university financial and accounting practices. The position also requires extensive knowledge and experience of accounting, budgeting, business operations, investments, capital projects, financial planning and reporting, as well as the ability to interpret documents and legislation that fiscally impact the university. Also, the Vice Chancellor must understand technology and its applications related to financial management systems.
 
A detailed leadership profile for this position is available at: https://bit.ly/fayettevillestCFO.
 
About the University
 
Founded in 1867, FSU is a public, comprehensive Historically Black University, located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. FSU is the second oldest public university in North Carolina and is the regional university of choice for students from diverse backgrounds, including military affiliated students, adult learners, and traditional aged students.
 
FSU is a campus of 156 acres serving nearly 7,000 students. The University offers robust and innovative degree programs and advances knowledge through the integration of teaching, learning, research, and public service. FSU strives to meet the educational, career, and personal aspirations of its students and serves the region through key community partnerships and by developing graduates who can have a positive impact through their profession.
 
FSU has many nationally ranked academic programs, including the School of Nursing and online MBA. In addition to exceptional pre-professional programs, FSU has a proud tradition in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. For more information about the university, please visit: https://www.uncfsu.edu/.
 
Since 1972, Fayetteville State University has been one of 17 institutions within the broader University of North Carolina System. This multi-campus university system is dedicated to serving the state of North Carolina and its people through world-class teaching, research and scholarship, and outreach and service. More than 239,000 students are enrolled in the UNC System’s 16 universities across the state and the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics.
 
About the Team
 
The Division of Business and Finance at Fayetteville State University is dedicated to providing the community with timely and accurate financial information and accounting services to support students, faculty, and staff.
As the administrative unit responsible for the planning, coordination, and oversight of all financial operations, we consist of the following units: budget, business services, contracts and grants, controller, facilities management, materials management, systems and procedures, title III, and other related administration services.
 
About Fayetteville, North Carolina
 
Fayetteville State University is the heart of a rich cultural life in the greater community and produces many of the region’s nurses, educators, artists, and business leaders. The thriving city of Fayetteville is located in the Sandhills region of southeastern North Carolina and is the seat of Cumberland County. The city is only 65 miles south of the state capital of Raleigh, and major highways provide easy access to North Carolina’s coast to the east and mountains to the west. The downtown area has been revitalized, complete with retail shops, dining establishments, historic sites, museums, local breweries, and even a new Class-A baseball stadium. Fayetteville is home to Fort Liberty, the largest military installation in the world, located within 12 miles of FSU. For more information about Fayetteville, please visit: https://www.visitfayettevillenc.com/.
 
Duties and Responsibilities
 
• Provides leadership and strategic direction to the Division of Business and Finance which include Budget, Finance, Contracts and Grants, Purchasing, Facilities Management, Auxiliary and Business Services, Controller’s Office, and Business Systems and Analytics.
• Collaborates with a myriad of cross campus committees/groups to achieve the goals in support of the overall mission of the University.
• Develops goals and evaluates the performance of direct reports.
• Ensures that business plans, crisis management plans, fiscal internal controls, budget policies, and procedures for reporting areas are current.
• Participates as a key member of the senior leadership team with the responsibility for achieving goals in support of the university.
• Develops and implements long term financial and capital planning and forecasting models.
• Provides oversight to ensure construction of state-of-the art facilities, and procurement of equipment for the University.
• Coordinates and manages the budget for the University. Ensures that the financial data necessary for administrative planning and decision-making is available as needed.
 
Education and Experience
 
A master’s or CPA with a minimum of 7 years' experience in leadership positions with increasing responsibility for and success in finance and strategic resource management is required. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, finance, economics, accounting, or a related discipline from an accredited institution is also required.
 
The successful candidate must have expertise and a record of effective strategic and operational leadership in all or most of the areas of responsibility and demonstrate success in strategic planning, oversight of major capital projects, capital financing, and budget and management systems, preferably in higher education or a government entity. The candidate must have strong leadership skills and a proven record of fiduciary responsibility, leadership and administration.
 
Other desired qualifications include:
 
• Demonstrated expertise in effective communications with internal and external stakeholders
• Progressive supervisory experience and direct management experience of a team of financial professionals
• Demonstrated record of improving the management and effectiveness of operations, business processes, and customer service
• Solid understanding of generally accepted accounting principles
• Knowledge of the State of North Carolina laws and regulations governing higher education and UNC System policies, procedures, and operating guidelines
 
Special Instructions
 
To apply, please submit a letter of interest and CV/resume via email to executivesearch@northcarolina.edu. Confidential review of application materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
 
Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
 
Contact Information
 
Fayetteville State University has retained the UNC System Office executive search team to support this recruitment. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to Lynn Duffy, senior associate vice president for leadership and talent acquisition, at lsduffy@northcarolina.edu, or Scott Murray, director of executive search and leadership programs, at sfmurray@northcarolina.edu.
 
Equal Employment Opportunity
 
Fayetteville State University is committed to equality of educational opportunity and employment and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. Moreover, Fayetteville State University values diversity and actively seeks to recruit talented students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
 
Fayetteville State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and seeks priority referrals of protected veterans for our openings.