CGT News

Frequently Asked Questions about the Post-doctoral Fellowship

How long does the search officially run?
The search opens September 15, 2009 and ends November 15, 2009. The priority deadline is November 1, 2009. Those submitting their materials by that date will pay a reduced application fee. You may expect a call for interviews toward the end of January 2010 and final decisions to be made toward the end of February 2010.

I received my PhD more than 5 years ago, am I still eligible to apply?
You are not eligible to apply. The post-doc is structured for emerging scholars to have the opportunity to work and research along senior scholars and faculty.

I have not yet completed my PhD, can I apply?
If you will complete your degree before the start of the fellowship, August 2010, you may apply. "Complete"/ "Finished" is defined as having defended and deposited your dissertation. You must provide a letter from the registrar stating that you have completed all of the requirements for your PhD. If you do not finish and provide evidence of completion by the start of your contract- the offer will be considered void and you will not be hired.

Do you guarantee housing for all fellows?
Housing is not guaranteed for all fellows. Upon receiving your fellowship you are eligible to apply for campus housing, however there are a limited number of campus apartments. If necessary CGT will help selected fellows find appropriate off-campus housing.

I am not a US Citizen, will you sponsor my visa?
Yes. International applicants are encouraged to apply. Should you be offered a fellowship, Columbia University will sponsor the proper visa.

I don't want to pay the application fee, can I pay after I'm accepted?
The fee is considered a portion of the application; without it, the application is deemed incomplete. Failure to include payment will delay and may eventually exclude your application. Since the fee covers the cost of processing the applications and distributing them to evaluators, the payment is necessary regardless of whether the applicant is extended a fellowship offer.

However the fee is not meant to exclude top scholars, particularly those from the global south, who may lack financial resources. Therefore, the application fee may be waived at the discretion of the selection committee.

I don't have access to a bank account, can I send cash?
No, there are other ways to pay your application fee. If you do not have access to a bank, you may get a money order drawn on a US bank, pay via credit card, or contact us for wire-transfer information.

Is it OK if reference letters arrive separately from other materials?
It is best if all supplemental materials arrive together. If your references choose not to email their letter, they may send the recommendations to us directly via postal mail.

I live nearby, can I just stop in and drop off a hardcopy of my application?
No. There are three ways to submit an application, you may either 1) complete the online form and upload the necessary documents 2) email materials to cgt.postdoc@gmail.com or 3) send us all requested materials via postal mail. Hand delivering your application is not an option.

I will be in New York for a few days, can I schedule an interview or meeting with the Committee for that time?
The Committee members are very busy. If you have not been contacted and offered an interview, the Committee will not be able to meet with you.

I would like to speak with a specific Committee member; will you give me their contact info?
Contact info for our Committee members is available online. However please keep in mind that pestering them with your questions or personal introductions will likely negatively effect your application. Apart from crowding their inboxes or voicemail, trying to bypass the recruitment system will be viewed as unfair to other applicants.

One of my referees hasn't mailed or emailed his or her letter and it will arrive late, will this jeopardize my application?
Until we have received all your recommendation letters your application will be considered incomplete. It is to your advantage to make sure that all letters are received before the deadline in order to ensure that your application is read.

How do I know if my application was received and is complete?
We will send a broadcast email to all applicants with completed applications. Additionally, you may send a self-addressed stamped post-card with your application fee payment. Once your application is complete we will mail the card back to you.

How do I know if my application is still being considered?
If you have not received a rejection email, you may assume that your application is still under consideration.

Are the salary and terms of the fellowship negotiable?
No. The salary is set by the university administration. All of the benefits are standard to Columbia employees.

My research is only marginally related to the projects and themes the CGT is currently working on, should I still apply?
If you cannot make a strong and valid connection between your research and the broad research agenda of the CGT- you should not apply. We welcome new and innovative research that incorporates many disciplines and subject areas, and we feel that our topics are broad enough to allow for variety.

My terminal degree is something other than a PhD, am I still eligible to apply?
If your terminal degree is a JD, MD, or EDD you are still eligible to apply.