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Postdoc Position

2027-28 REISCHAUER INSTITUTE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN JAPANESE STUDIES

Harvard University · United States
Deadline
Dec 18, 2026
Closing in 60 days
Location
N/A
United States
Employment
Fixed contract (1-4 years)
Reference
N/A
Posted Sep 29, 2026
Offered salary$70,000

About the role

Position

Details
Title 2027-28 REISCHAUER INSTITUTE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN JAPANESE STUDIES
School Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department/Area Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies
Position Description 2027-28 REISCHAUER INSTITUTE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN JAPANESE STUDIES

Applicant Deadline: Friday, December 18, 2026, 5:00PM EST
Recommender Deadline: Friday, January 8, 2027, 5:00PM EST
Harvard University will offer two types of postdoctoral fellowships in Japanese Studies:
  • Reischauer Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship
    The Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies (RIJS) at Harvard University will offer Postdoctoral Fellowships in Japanese Studies to recent Ph.D. graduates of exceptional promise, in any area of the humanities or social sciences, to provide the opportunity for postdoctoral fellows to turn their dissertations into publishable manuscripts and to continue their research in Japanese Studies.
  • U.S.-Japan Program Postdoctoral Fellowship
    The Program on U.S.-Japan Relations (USJP) at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs will offer Postdoctoral Fellowships to recent Ph.D. graduates in anthropology, business, economics, history, international relations, law, political science, psychology, public health, public policy, and sociology, among other fields. Scholars may examine domestic issues that bear on Japan’s external relations or problems that it shares with other countries, and the Program encourages projects that compare Japan’s experience cross-nationally.

Please submit only ONE application. Applications for the RIJS and USJP Postdoctoral Fellowships will be submitted through a single platform (ARIeS). Applicants will be asked to indicate whether they wish to be considered for the RIJS Fellowship, the USJP Fellowship, or both. 
—-

APPOINTMENT TERM:
Year-long appointments, commencing August or September 2027.
FELLOWSHIP GRANT:
  • Stipend of $70,000 and research funds up to $5,000. This appointment is eligible for subsidized medical, dental, vision, and other benefits through Harvard University.
  • Postdoctoral fellows will be provided office space, as well as access to the libraries and resources of Harvard University.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to reside in the general greater Boston/Cambridge area in order to fully participate in activities and events during the appointment term. Postdoctoral Fellows will also be expected to give a presentation on their research. Postdoctoral Fellows may be invited in teach a Harvard class during the course of their appointment.
Basic Qualifications Applicants must have received their PhD in 2022 or later, in Japanese studies, in any area of the humanities or social sciences. Those who are selected to receive fellowships must have a Registrar-certified PhD degree by June 30, 2027. Please note that the fellowship is contingent upon degree documentation and is subject to rescission if the deadline is not met.
Additional Qualifications RIJS especially encourages applications from those who have not previously held postdoctoral appointments at Harvard.
Special Instructions Please note required materials:
  1. Statement of Research (2 pages): What research do you plan to pursue during the fellowship term? What do you plan to do at each stage, and what particular resources do you intend to use? What are the advantages of spending a postdoctoral fellowship year at Harvard; are there specific individuals or resources you hope to seek out while in residence?
  2. Curriculum Vitae: Please include your current and permanent addresses, telephone number(s), email address; academic degrees with dates of conferral, discipline and institution; current employer; and a list of publications.
  3. Transcript: Please submit an official electronic transcript or OPEN your official paper transcript to scan as part of your complete application. **If your Ph.D. comes from a non-US university that does not issue an official transcript of grades, please submit alternative documentation of your enrollment and progress in the degree program, as well as a written statement that you are unable to provide an official transcript of grades.
  4. Dissertation Abstract (1 page)
  5. Dissertation Table of Contents
  6. Dissertation Chapter: We will also accept a published article submitted in lieu of the dissertation chapter as a writing sample.
Contact Information Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese StudiesPhone: (617) 495-3220
Contact Email [email protected]
Salary Range The stipend for this fellowship is $70,000 for a 12-month appointment.
Minimum Number of References Required 2
Maximum Number of References Allowed 2
Keywords

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * Please specify which fellowships(s) you wish to be considered for. You may select one or both options.
    • Reischauer Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship
    • US-Japan Program Postdoctoral Fellowshp
  2. * Please state your thesis title.

    (Open Ended Question)

  3. * Please provide a short summary of your research plan at Harvard. (200 words)

    (Open Ended Question)

  4. * Have you previously received any postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard or elsewhere? If yes, which and when?

    (Open Ended Question)

  5. * Have you previously applied for any postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard? If yes, which and when?

    (Open Ended Question)

  6. * Are you currently applying for other postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard or elsewhere? If yes, which?

    (Open Ended Question)

  7. * Please indicate your current employment status and institution. (e.g. graduate student/PhD candidate; postdoctoral fellow; non-tenure track position; tenure-track position; currently job searching)

    (Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Statement of Research
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. Transcript
  4. Dissertation Abstract
  5. Dissertation Table of Contents
  6. Dissertation Chapter
Optional Documents

How to apply

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