Fellowship in Peer Review

Fellowship in Peer Review

Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, Inc.

New York, NY

The Wenner-Gren Foundation is a private operating foundation dedicated to the advancement of anthropology throughout the world.  Located in New York City, it is one of the major international funding sources for anthropological research and is actively engaged with the anthropological community through its grant, fellowship, conference, publication, and capacity building programs. We are committed to playing a leadership role in anthropology.  We help anthropologists advance anthropological knowledge, build sustainable careers, and amplify the impact of anthropology within the wider world. We are dedicated to broadening the conversation in anthropology to reflect the full diversity of the field.

The Foundation is committed to creating an inclusive work environment and seeks to recruit from a broad pool of talented candidates. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position. Addressing the precarity of anthropology and anthropologists is a key element of our mission.  We have designed this position in this spirit. Our aim is to hire a recent doctorate in anthropology who wishes to make service to the discipline an integral part of their career.

Fellowship Opportunity

The Fellowship in Peer Review is a two-year paid fellowship. The Fellow will play a pivotal role in helping Wenner-Gren in advancing its mission. The Foundation receives around 1,500 applications per year. To assist with our review process, we maintain a pool of some 60 reviewers from institutions across the world.  Most of our applicants are seeking support for individual research projects.  Although we cannot fund everyone who applies, we strive to provide all applicants with fair, generous, and constructive guidance so they can refine their plans. As an integral member of a small, hardworking team, the Fellow will assist the Foundation in supporting our applicants and identifying the most exciting, innovative projects to fund.  The Fellow will take part in identifying and recruiting reviewers, vetting feedback, and tracking trends in the research Wenner-Gren supports.  The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree in anthropology, be intellectually curious, discerning, and strongly committed to inclusion and racial justice, and have an expansive vision of the discipline.  This individual will also be exceedingly well-organized and collegial and have experience assessing academic work.  The Fellow in Peer Review must be an extraordinary writer, have excellent interpersonal skills, and enjoy serving and collaborating with a diverse community of scholars and professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in reviewer recruitment for Wenner-Gren’s Dissertation Fieldwork Grants, Post-PhD Research Grants, and Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowships:

• • Keep track of turn-over in the reviewer pool and assess current needs.
  • Research candidates and build pool of potential reviewers.
  • Contact and follow-up with prospective reviewers.
  • Participate in producing training materials for new reviewers.
  • Take part in reviewer meetings and onboarding.

• Maintaining and improving the quality of peer review:

• • Assist in assigning reviewers.
  • Monitor feedback from reviewers for bias.
  • Edit feedback for clarity where appropriate.
  • Participate in instructional meetings with the reviewers pre- and post-review season
  • Evaluate the work of individual reviewers and suggest areas for improvement.
  • Serve as a back-up reviewer as needed.

• Advancing funding equity:

• • Assist with the collation and analysis of demographic data on our reviewers and applicants.
  • Report on funding trends relating to geographical areas, methods, themes, and modalities of work.
  • Expand Wenner-Gren’s networks to attract reviewers from a diversity of backgrounds and intellectual traditions.
  • Participate in long term planning to build and sustain our community of reviewers.

Qualifications and Experience

• PhD or ABD in anthropology or closely aligned discipline
• Track record of service to anthropology
• Track record of success in networking across diverse groups
• Proven commitment to an inclusive vision of anthropology.
• Peer review experience
• Editing experience
• Ability to work independently with careful attention to detail 
• Ability to creatively solve problems, with a strong ability to multi-task
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Excellent social media skills
• A high level of professionalism and demonstrated good judgement.
• Superb organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency or advanced skill in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Proficiency or a willingness to learn Salesforce

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $80,000.  The Foundation provides a generous benefits package, which includes 401(k) plan, health insurance, group term life and disability insurance, paid time off and flexible work arrangements.

How to Apply

Applications are being accepted online via Ziprecruiter.com, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/job/d38025c4   

You will be asked to upload your curriculum vitae or resume and a letter of interest. In the letter of interest, please comment on how your experience and professional aspirations are a good match for this fellowship.

Applications will be accepted until April 14, 2023.  Due to the expected high volume of applications for the fellowship, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  The anticipated start date of the fellowship is on or before June 1, 2023.

Acknowledging the precarity faced by many early career anthropologists, the Foundation has designed the fellowship to meet the needs of scholars for whom relocation can be a hardship.  Fellows choose between telecommuting or working at the Foundation’s headquarters in New York City.   Please note that candidates must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. Wenner-Gren cannot provide visa sponsorship for employment.