Research Fellow jobs in Elkhart, IN

Position Summary: Goshen College is a Christian liberal arts institution that prepares students to thrive in life, leadership and service. We strive to model an inclusive community committed to
transformative justice, peace, and sustainability. A respect and appreciation of the Anabaptist-Mennonite faith perspective and practices, and a commitment to the mission, vision, core values and community standards of Goshen College, are important for teaching and administrative faculty members.

The Goshen College Religion, Justice, and Society (RJS) department invites a full-time scholar-activist committed to teaching and inspiring students and local organizations for a four-year fellowship with a primary focus on teaching and mentoring students in the theory and practice of organizing for social change. We seek a proven practitioner in social organizing who would teach and mentor our students as they engage with justice issues related to indigenous people, climate change, and race/ethnicity, with a flexible start date available immediately after an offer is extended. Since the position is divided equally between the community and the classroom, the successful applicant will have an enthusiastic commitment to teaching at the college level and community organizing experience advocating for social change.

Essential Position Functions and Duties:

RJS Faculty – 50%

The RJS department offers majors and minors in Bible & Religion, Criminal Justice & Restorative Justice (CJRJ), Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies (PJCS), Sociology, and Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS). All members of the department have opportunities to develop courses within their expertise. This is a non-tenure position.

The candidate will teach approximately two courses in the fall and spring each year relating to themes of justice, the environment, and indigenous culture, depending on curricular needs and the expertise of the candidate.

• Teach assigned courses in designing for social change, environmental sociology or social justice, Indigenous people and cultures, and other CORE-related courses aligned with the candidate’s expertise and interests
• Prepare syllabi for assigned courses with the support of the RJS department chair and GC Core director
• Participate in department, school and college meetings
• Pursue professional development opportunities, including scholarly activities such as research, publication, presentations or lectures

Social Justice Organizing – 50%

The candidate will provide campus leadership for social justice organizing and advocacy, as well as building and extending connections to community organizations interested in supporting causes related to justice and the environment, especially relating to dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery.

• Foster education and formation of GC students in social change through spiritually grounded practices of social organizing aligned with Anabaptist-Mennonite theology.
• Work in relationship with the local congregations who are part of the Repair Network of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. These include but are not limited to: Waterford, Assembly Mennonite, Eighth Street Mennonite, and Silverwood Mennonite.
• Develop relationships with additional faith based communities as they join the repair network and/or participate in Coalition campaigns.
• Cultivate and support student leadership at GC to promote national and local student-led campaigns that address social justice issues, such as the One Circle group.

Position Qualifications:

• BASIC QUALIFICATIONS –
  • Evidence of community organizing/ involvement
  • Master’s degree in sociology, religion, theology, peace and justice or related field

• OTHER REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS –
  • Collaboration across disciplines
  • Commitment to working with diverse populations in both community and college contexts
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS –
  • Fluency in Spanish
  • Experience teaching or educating at the college/university or community level
  • Experience teaching diverse students and populations
  • Ability to teach additional departmental courses depending on the area of expertise

Compensation & Benefits:

This is a full-time appointment (1.0 FTE), 12-month position that pays between $45,565-$50,000 annually and offers full benefits, including:

• Health insurance (employee premium 100% covered)
• Dental, vision, life, LTD, and voluntary life insurance
• Retirement plans
• Tuition discounts
• Free employee membership to Recreation/Fitness Center
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave

See our website for additional benefits information.