Postdoctoral Researcher at the Rank of Instructor in the McKeon Center presso University of Chicago

About the Department:

The McKeon Center draws inspiration from Richard P. McKeon, a foundational figure in the intellectual history of the University of Chicago. McKeon’s integrative approach to the liberal arts guides the Center’s activities in three areas: 1) Advancing scholarship on McKeon’s legacy particularly his method of inquiry and his life-long work on systematizing knowledge; 2) Innovating liberal arts teaching through rigorous, conceptually rich, text-based instruction rooted in McKeon’s method; 3) Supporting research by faculty and students on the history of ideas and systems of knowledge. 

Position Summary: 

The McKeon Center, situated in the College at the University of Chicago, invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher position focused on the pedagogy and philosophical method of University of Chicago Professor Richard McKeon. This is a 3-year, non-tenure track, research-intensive position with teaching responsibilities. We welcome applications from scholars who are at least 1 year beyond their PhD and bring expertise in research, writing, and teaching.

Working closely with the Faculty Director, Joel Isaac, the Postdoctoral Researcher will develop a pedagogical guide informed by Richard McKeon’s method and design two undergraduate courses taught annually. The primary responsibility of the Postdoctoral Researcher will be to conduct original research in the Richard McKeon archive housed in Special Collections at the Joseph Regenstein Library and produce a comprehensive guide to McKeon’s pedagogical method. This work will contribute to a broader institutional effort to recover and reanimate McKeon’s distinctive approach to teaching, inquiry, and philosophical pluralism.

The successful candidate will also design and teach two undergraduate courses per year, grounded in McKeon’s methodology. These courses will serve as testbeds in applying McKeon's pedagogy in contemporary classroom settings, providing a testing ground for the guide-in-progress. Moreover, there may be one-off events such as conferences or seminars in which the holder of this position may be asked to participate.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct sustained research in the McKeon archival materials.
• Develop a clear, accessible, and rigorous guide to McKeon’s pedagogical method.
• Design and teach two undergraduate courses per year informed by McKeon’s approach.
• Collaborate with colleagues working on related pedagogical and archival initiatives (e.g., developing content for the Richard McKeon website)
• Present findings at academic conferences, workshops, and contribute to scholarly publications.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Philosophy, History of Ideas, Rhetoric, or a closely related Social Science/Humanities field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or strong interest in the work of Richard McKeon.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching and curriculum development.
• Strong writing, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 3–5 years of teaching undergraduate courses.
• Experience with archival research and/or historical pedagogical methods preferred.

Please submit the following materials:

1. Cover letter outlining research interests and fit for the position.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Teaching portfolio (including 2 sample course syllabi, teaching philosophy or statement up to 3 pages, and course evaluations).
4. Writing sample (25 pages max).
5. Contact information for three references.

Review of applications will begin October 20, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Candidates must apply through the University of Chicago’s Interfolio website: https://apply.interfolio.com/173601.