Mellon Postdoc Fellowship – Oral History & Fallout Research

About the Fellowship

The Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellowship, hosted by the American Conservation Experience (ACE), offers a rare opportunity to research the lived experiences of Cold War-era nuclear fallout survivors—known as Downwinders—in rural Nevada and Utah. This one-year, full-time postdoctoral role focuses on original humanities research, oral histories, and public programming tied to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The fellowship promotes public engagement, interdisciplinary scholarship, and collaboration with Tribal and local communities. This project brings national attention to historically overlooked stories and connects them to broader narratives of American identity, Cold War politics, and environmental history. The selected fellow will work closely with the Great Basin and Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Areas, contributing to long-term interpretive resources and community dialogue.

Fellowship / Details

Position Title: Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellow: The Fallout of Fallout – Documenting and Contextualising the Downwinders Experience
Host Institution: American Conservation Experience (ACE)
Administering Body / Funding Agency: Mellon Foundation
Location: Cedar City, Utah, United States (Remote work permitted with extensive regional travel)
Research Field(s): American history, Cold War studies, oral history, environmental humanities, cultural anthropology
Fellowship Type: Postdoctoral Fellowship, Full-time
Level: Early-career
Fellowship Duration: 12 months, fully funded through August 31, 2026
Expected Start Date: August 2025 (flexible)
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
Funding/Compensation: $70,304 annual salary, paid bi-weekly

Required Degree/Diploma

PhD in humanities or humanistic social sciences

Supported Research Fields / Areas

American history
Cold War history
Cultural anthropology
Environmental history
Cultural landscapes
Rural geography
American studies

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD awarded between 1 August 2021 and 31 August 2025
US citizen or Permanent Resident
Valid driver’s licence
Proficient in English
Experience in oral history or community-based research
Willingness to travel and work in remote locations
Ability to operate audio/video equipment (training and tools provided)

Preferred Qualifications:

Expertise in American West, Indigenous, and LDS (Mormon) history and cultures
Familiarity with audiovisual storytelling or educational product development
Experience in interdisciplinary or public humanities projects

Not Eligible:

Applicants without valid US work authorisation
PhDs awarded before 1 August 2021 or after 31 August 2025

Fellowship/Job Benefits

Annual salary: $70,304 (12-month term)
Health benefits: Medical, dental, vision, mental health plans
Travel support: Reimbursement for job-related travel and rentals
Vacation leave: Up to 80 hours paid time off
Sick leave: 80 hours annually
Public holidays: 13 paid holidays
Retirement plan: 403(b) with 3% employer contribution
Outdoor perks: 30–50% discounts on top outdoor brands
Professional development: Up to 20% of time for career-focused work

Key Responsibilities

Conduct original research on the nuclear fallout impacts in the heritage areas
Record and archive over 50 oral histories from impacted residents
Analyse and synthesise archival sources and oral accounts
Develop interpretive frameworks and contribute to public programming
Collaborate with local scholars, Tribal communities, and partner organisations
Contribute to scholarly and public-facing outputs including digital content, exhibitions, and educational resources