Information for Prospective Visiting Scholars and Postdocs in the Department of Rhetoric at UC Berkeley

The Department of Rhetoric welcomes your application for post-doctoral or visiting scholar status.  To qualify, you must conform to one of the following definitions, A or B:

A. Visiting Scholar
 
1a) Ph.D. or foreign equivalent conferred more than 5 years ago;

        OR

1b) Ph.D. or foreign equivalent conferred less than 5 years ago and a professorial tenure-track position, e.g. Assistant Professor.

        OR

1c) Substantial professional experience beyond the master's degree and research interests and competence at the level of a Ph.D. scholar;

        AND

 2) A program of research endorsed by a faculty member in the Department of Rhetoric.  (Applicants should approach faculty members directly.  The Department Office and/or the Chair cannot recommend faculty members to applicants.)

        AND

3) Research project of at least one month duration;

        AND

4) Have a source of funding, e.g., fellowship, salary from home institution, or equivalent external support.

B.  Postdoc

Applicants must satisfy all of the following specifications:

1) Possess a Ph.D. or foreign equivalent conferred less than five years ago (however, extenuating circumstances, including health and family care, may allow for exceptions to this requirement);

2) Proposed appointment may not total more than five years of service including previous postdoctoral experience at other institutions;

3) Have a source of funding, e.g., fellowship, or equivalent external support;

4) Pursue a program of research and training under the direction of a faculty member with the approval of the Rhetoric Department and registration with the VSPA (Visiting Scholars and Postdoc Affairs) program at UC Berkeley;

5) May not have been employed as an assistant professor, associate professor, or professor;

6) The appointment term must be at least one month in duration.


Visiting Scholar / Postdoc Application Process

Visiting Scholars in the Department of Rhetoric may, without the payment of tuition or other fees, audit classes (with the exception of courses offered by Summer Sessions or UC Extension), participate in seminars with the consent of the instructors, confer with faculty members, use departmental letterhead stationery for professional correspondence,  and receive mail at the departmental address.  Other privileges, provided by the University, currently include use of campus libraries, computing services (including an email account), fee parking permit, AC Transit bus pass discounts, intercollegiate sports ticket and recreational sports facilities discounts.  Use of housing services is available for an additional fee.  International visitors may be eligible for lodging at the International House.

The Department of Rhetoric regrets that it is unable to offer Visiting Scholars office space, computer equipment, or opportunities to teach.

Instructions for Applicants

Applications should be submitted to your faculty sponsor at least five to six months in advance of the proposed date of arrival to the Department of Rhetoric for appropriate signatures.  The deadline for applications for Visiting Scholar status for Spring Semester is September 1; the deadline for Visiting Scholar status for Fall semester is March 1.

The forms referred to below are available in Word or PDF on the VSPA (Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs) website, http://vspa.berkeley.edu/.  Send items 1, 2, and 3 directly to your faculty sponsor as email attachments.

1.  Fill out the appropriate Application Form.

2.  A description of the research project with name of the faculty sponsor.

3.  A current curriculum vitae.

4.  Postdocs only: Fax a copy if the Ph.D. diploma or certificate of completion of Ph.D. Requirements to your faculty sponsor at 510.642.8881.

Candidates should not send forms directly to the VSPA program office, as that will only delay the process.

Once the faculty sponsor has all of the application materials they will be forwarded to the Department for consideration.  If the application is approved by the department, you will be contacted about arrival procedures, and, if necessary, the visa procedures.

If approved by the Department of Rhetoric

Visiting Scholars are assessed a $200 University Services Fee for their appointment (fees subject to change without notice; current rates are quoted on the VSPA website).

Prospective international visiting scholars requiring a J-1 visa should fill out the Visiting International Scholar DS-2019 Request From and submit it with a check or postal order made out to UC Regents for the $390 processing fee (check VSPA site for current fee amount).

Please pay particular attention to the following when completing the DS-2019 Request Form:

Permanent Address:  Give an address where correspondence may always reach you, before and after the duration of your proposed visit.

Visa Classification:  Specify the letter and number of the visa classification (example: J-1); if not yet obtained, specify the type for which you will apply. 

Degree:  Applicants with foreign degrees must give the name of the degree as it appears on their diploma.  Do not translate the original name of the degree or the name of the institution conferring the degree, except to put the names into the English alphabet.  If you are currently pursuing a degree or are a candidate for a degree, please so indicate and give the name of the degree and expected date of conferral.  Approval of appointment will be contingent upon completion of the necessary requirements for your doctoral degree.

General:  Please submit the application five to six months in advance of your proposed arrival to Berkeley, noting the Department of Rhetoric’s application deadlines, which are absolute.  The department will directly notify you regarding the approval or denial of your application.  Send your completed electronic VSPA application directly to your faculty sponsor (without your signature) via email as an attachment.