Visiting Scholars
As part of our mission of working across disciplines, cultures and communities, CMS/W has established a Visiting Scholars program, the goal of which is to facilitate the residency of a limited number of distinguished scholars from other academic institutions or accomplished professionals whose expertise coincides with current research projects. Visiting Scholar positions are non-compensated appointments established to accommodate the scholars’ research and enrich the CMS research community.
Eligibility
- Visiting scholars are expected to provide their own support from research or study grants obtained from a foundation, university, or other agency. CMS/W provides access to its seminars, colloquia, and conferences, as well as library and email facilities.
- Students currently enrolled in a degree program are not eligible to become visiting scholars. Visiting scholars are expected to have a Ph.D. and several years of professional experience, or the equivalent.
- Visitors must apply first to CMS/W for appointment as a visiting scholar. CMS/W will act as a liaison with the MIT International Scholars Office to process visa applications.
How to Apply as a Visiting Scholar
Please send the following information:
- A letter describing the kind of work you would like to do while at MIT and the particular research group or faculty member whose research interests coincide with you own. Also include the dates you would like to visit.
- A curriculum vitae.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- At least one publication or writing sample.
Additional Requirements for International Scholars
In order to apply for a visa, international Visiting Scholars will need to provide proof of the following two additional items:
1. Minimum funding per year (Current as of April 1, 2021)
| Primary Visitor | +1 Dependent | +2 Dependents | +3 Dependents |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,000 | $40,000 | $45,000 | $50,000 |
2. Health Insurance Coverage for J-1 Visitors
Submitting Materials
The application and all its parts (letters, etc.) should be addressed to CMS/W Head Eric Klopfer, and mailed or e-mailed to the following address at least 90 days prior to desired start date:
Jessica Tatlock
Comparative Media Studies/Writing
77 Massachusetts Avenue, 14E-303
Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
jtatlock@mit.edu
Approval
If your application is accepted, the department will contact you with further details and paperwork about your visit.
Expectations
Visiting scholars at Comparative Media Studies/Writing are expected to:
- Stay at CMS/W for one term, or for at least three months during the term,
- Give a presentation of their work to the CMS/W community,
- Publish about their work at CMS/W and communicate their research, and
- Participate in research groups and internal discussions.
Comparative Media Studies/Writing will help integrate visitors into its community and facilitate their work by providing access to MIT’s libraries, an e-mail account, and admissions to CMS/W events such as colloquia, Communications Forums, and most of its conferences. Unfortunately, CMS/W cannot provide office space, housing, or computer workstations to visiting scholars.
Postdoctoral Associates
Postdoctoral Associates are usually associated with one of the sponsored research projects in CMS/W. As these positions become available, they are announced on MIT’s job listings web site and advertised in professional and scholarly publications.
It has traditionally made available a limited number of appointments for recent Ph.D recipients whose fields of expertise are directly related to the research and teaching goals of the program. These appointments are made for at least one year and may be renewable up to four years, but they are not long-term or career appointments. Our current postdoctoral associates and fellows can be found on our Visiting Scholars and Postdocs page.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Postdoctoral Fellows come to MIT with grants or fellowships from outside funding agencies or government entities, in order to develop their scholarly and research skills. Funding must be secured prior to making an application for appointment as a postdoctoral fellow, and the dates of the appointment must match the dates of the funding.
The Associate Provost and Vice President for Research set salary ranges for postdoctoral scholars (associates and fellows). Foreign nationals bringing their own fellowships must meet a financial minimum that varies from year to year.
| Years Experience | Stipend |
|---|---|
| 0 | $54,840 |
| 1 | $55,224 |
| 2 | $55,632 |
| 3 | $57,852 |
| 4 | $59,784 |
| 5 | $61,992 |
| 6 | $64,296 |
| 7+ | $66,600 |
If an international scholar is invited to CMS/W as a Postdoctoral Fellow, MIT will sponsor a visa application for the candidate. Successful candidates will have research interests directly related to one of the current research projects in CMS.
How to Apply as a Postdoc
Please send the following information:
- A letter describing the kind of work you would like to do while at MIT and the particular research group or faculty member whose research interests coincide with you own. Also include the dates you would like to visit.
- A curriculum vitae.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- At least one publication or writing sample.
The application and all its parts (letters, etc.) should be addressed to CMS/W Head Eric Klopfer, and mailed or e-mailed to the following address at least 90 days prior to desired start date:
Jessica Tatlock
Comparative Media Studies/Writing
77 Massachusetts Avenue, 14E-303
Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
jtatlock@mit.edu
Links
MIT International Scholars Office
http://web.mit.edu/scholars/index.html
Off-Campus Housing
mitoffcampus.com