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[cluelessinisrael]

Sorry for the naive and general question, but I am indeed cluelessinisrael.

I will submit my dissertation in Jewish History in September 2010 and I am looking for postdoc positions starting about a year later, in the field of social history.

1. Most positions in the States seem to not be advertised, with no formal application procedure. Is there a SPECIFIC FORM in which I should make initial contact? I understand that it is a good idea to send my CV, but what about the cover/inquiry letter?

2. Is there a standard application procedure after the initial contact? I have the impression that a cover letter, CV and three references (contact information only) seems to be the regular form. Is this so? Or will my supervisor provide me with his specific requirements?

3. WHEN can I apply for a postdoc? Already before I submitted, only after I submitted, or even only after I was awarded the Ph.D. degree?

Thank you in advance for your help!!!

[laurel_knx]

This forum doesn't get much traffic, unfortunately. You might look through the job search forum for advice and possibly repost there (in general, double posting is discouraged, but in this case is warranted).

My impression is that when you email potential advisors when there has been no advertised position, you send a very brief email outlining your interests and qualifications and inquire whether they know of any opportunities. You also attach your CV with references listed. It might also be appropriate to attach a more extensive cover letter that expands on your email (that way they only have to see it if they are interested).

There is no standard application procedure after that. I would be ready to send letters, writing samples, and a dissertation extract/abstract if they ask for them. The potential advisors will have their own approaches to evaluating candidates and will ask for more info if they are interested.

If there are any funding sources available to you, I would let those guide my timeline. If you need to apply with the advisor, then obviously you need to starting inquiring well before that deadline. If you can win it on your own, you could wait until you win something to inquire (That way you have something to offer). If there's no funding, I might start inquiring mid Fall semester (September/October). In my experience this year, all of the action for postdocs has been in the last couple of months, but the applications went out long ago. It may be a long year of waiting! Good luck.

[minorleaguer]

Caveat - I am scheduled to start a post-doc in history, but never applied for the job.  I was offered the position by my advisor.  I'm only jumping in here because this board gets little traffic and you probably won't get a whole lot of advice here from people in history.

In history, post-doc positions are often listed alongside other job ads.  Job postings are listed with the Chronicle of Higher Education and on H-Net, and are also available on the websites of the AHA and OAH (I think the AHA restricts access to these postings to members).  If I were you, I would scour these sites and sign up for the appropriate list serves on H-Net. 

Some post-docs are listed as soon as the tenure-track and visiting professor positions are listed starting around August, but many post-docs are only posted later in the "job season."  Other posters will hopefully give you a better idea of when that takes place in the year.

Unlike most post-docs the sciences, many post-docs in history aren't placing you with a particular advisor.  Often, a department will hire post-docs to teach a couple of classes while they turn their dissertation into a book manuscript.  A friend is starting a post-doc at a prestigious university where he will be teaching an introductory undergraduate course and a graduate seminar.  My understanding is that some post-docs simply give you funding, time, and space to work on your book manuscript (Princeton University Society of Fellows comes to mind here, maybe I'm wrong about this impression).

The length of time between filing the dissertation and starting work as a post-doc in the US is typically anywhere between 0-5 years. 

Almost always, the job ad will explain what to include in the application packet.  Based on my limited knowledge of examining these advertisements and advice from this board and elsewhere - the applications will always include a COVER LETTER and a CV.  They will often include 2+ letters from your advisors.  Less often, but sometimes further along in the application process, a job search committee will ask to see 1-2 examples of your dissertation.  Rarely will a position as a post-doc in history require a teaching portfolio.  According to numerous others on this board, do NOT send any materials that are not requested in the job ad.

Hope that helps.