Announcement and Application, A.D. 1350 - 1540 in the Upper Gila River Valley

This doctoral fellowship program is based on the premise that individuals who receive a doctorate in archaeology must be trained in a manner that provides them with maximum flexibility for a constantly changing job market. It provides the opportunity and funding to complete a doctoral program of original research that expands the range of experience that is generally part of an academic program. By functioning in full partnership with the fellow's academic institution, and by providing substantial financial support in a context of diverse research and administrative responsibilities, this program seeks to enhance the fellow's academic and practical preparation. Through this process the fellow will contribute to a long-term program of preservation archaeology for the Center for Desert Archaeology. This program will greatly expand his or her skills for a highly competitive and diverse employment environment.

The nonprofit Center for Desert Archaeology is committed to a long-term program of preservation archaeology. We use the term preservation archaeology to explicitly acknowledge that the archaeological record is a fragile, nonrenewable resource. Therefore, research programs and methods must balance impacts to cultural resources with long-term preservation goals. To accomplish this, we emphasize archival research, use of existing collections, field survey and mapping, surface collection, limited excavation, public outreach in local communities, and long term preservation. These strategies include careful documentation of results, curation of artifacts and records, and sharing of the results with both public and professional audiences.

Geographically our research will eventually encompass the Greater Southwest. At present our priorities are centered in southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. The Center defines and regularly updates a series of priorities for its preservation archaeology program.

The Preservation Fellow Program is intended to support an advanced graduate student in archaeology for three years. It involves a strict time table that must result in a completed doctoral dissertation at the end of the program.

The fellow is provided a monthly stipend of $2,000 plus health insurance for three years. During this time span, the fellow will not take outside employment and will consider the dissertation and the Center-related research as full-time employment.

The fellow is expected to define a research problem that is compatible with the requirements of his or her degree granting institution and to work within the Center's preservation archaeology priorities. The fellow must make use of volunteer labor that is available through the Center's membership program in the conduct of this research.

A small sum ($2,000 to $4,000) will also be available annually for research expenses, and the fellow is expected to at least match those funds through successful proposals to outside grant funding sources.

The research fellow is expected to accomplish a great deal in the available three years. The following list highlights the major requirements:

• Define a research plan acceptable to the fellow's graduate committee and to the Center.
• Develop a budget and time frame for this research.
• Implement a one- to two-year field program incorporating volunteers.
• Prepare a descriptive technical report on the field research to meet permit obligations.
• Prepare and defend a traditional dissertation or more publishable articles.
• Present a research report to an academic audience.
• Present a research report to a public audience.
• Prepare a brief public-oriented article on the research.

• The applicant should first review the Center's 2006 Preservation Fellow Research Priorities Plan available on the CDA website or upon request.
• In consultation with at least his or her committee chair, the applicant should then develop a general research plan and communicate that plan in a three-page written statement.
• The applicant's committee chair must prepare a supporting one-page letter that expresses a commitment to the applicant's general research plan and highlights the applicant's strengths.
• A curriculum vita and a current transcript must also be submitted as part of the application package.
• Complete and include the application cover sheet with the application package.
• Applications should be postmarked no later that April 9, 2007.

The material listed above will provide the basis for a preliminary evaluation of candidates. Telephone or personal interviews will be conducted with a short list of applicants. Interviewed candidates must also submit a list of three references who may be contacted by telephone to provide informed evaluation of the candidate.

The application process is dependent on the Center obtaining a full commitment for private funding of a three-year scholarship. Only when assured funding is available will the competitive selection process be initiated. It is expected that applicants will have completed the majority of their course work requirements and will be available to make the substantial commitments that this program requires. The selected applicant should be available to begin work under this fellowship no later than Fall 2007.

After selection, an annual contract with two renewal options will be negotiated with the successful applicant. The fellow's committee chair (or full committee) and the Executive Director of the Center for Desert Archaeology will conduct a review of progress and performance at the end of each year. The goal is to ensure that the selected candidate is on schedule for the successful completion the fellowship in three years. Insufficient progress may result in failure to renew the annual contract.

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