Brown University

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

The Thomas J. Watson Jr. Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University seeks to promote a just and peaceful world through research, teaching, and public engagement. The Watson Post-Doctoral Fellows program invites applications from exceptional early career scholars whose work contributes to one or more of the Institutes’ three core research areas: security, development, and governance. Successful candidates will join an interdisciplinary community of scholars in the social sciences engaged in theoretically and substantively important research that seeks to understand and address pressing global issues. Fellows receive two years of support, which need not be consecutive, and have access to all facilities at Brown University as well as regular opportunities to engage with faculty and other researchers across the University. Fellows are expected to complete research projects, are required to be in residence for most of their appointment, and may undertake additional training. In addition, Watson Post-Doctoral Fellows will teach one course per year in one of the Institute's interdisciplinary concentrations, or affiliated social science departments.

The fellowship competition is open to candidates from the social sciences, including anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, and sociology. Scholars of all nationalities who received PhDs within three years of the application deadline are eligible to apply. Residence in the Providence area is required for most of the two-year appointment, unless approval for research-related travel is obtained in advance. Fellows will participate in monthly seminars and other regular events with faculty and scholars at Brown and nearby institutions, and teach one class a year. The annual stipend is $55,000, plus a health insurance subsidy. Additional funding for conference-related travel and other research expenses is available as well as research-related programming on campus. Candidates selected for the Post-Doctoral Fellows program who have not completed their dissertations by July 1, 2016 will be paid a reduced salary until the dissertation is completed.

To receive full consideration, the following materials should be submitted by October 15, 2015, to the application portal (http://apply.interfolio.com/30448):
• A brief cover letter stating the applicant's academic field, area of specialization, and a short summary of the proposed work during the fellowship period
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae
• A statement describing the applicant's proposed research for the duration of the fellowship: this may emphasize the preparation of a book manuscript for publication, but should also include a summary of the research questions, goals, and methodological approaches of additional research. The statement should not exceed 2,000 words, including all bibliographic references and supplementary material, and should make clear where in the Institute's core areas of security, development or governance the proposed research best fits.
• A class proposal suitable for inclusion in any of the Watson Institute's interdisciplinary undergraduate concentrations and/or affiliated social science departments. The one-page proposal should consist of title, level, 200 word description and a core reading list of up to 15 books or articles.
• An official copy of each graduate transcript
(Three letters of recommendation from scholars familiar with the applicant’s research will be requested only from long-listed candidates)

Review of applications will begin on October 15th; to receive full consideration applications should be received by that date. Awards will be announced in January 2016.

For further information regarding the Watson Institute Post-Doctoral Fellows Program, please visit the Watson Institute website (watson.brown.edu) or contact:
Professor Catherine Lutz, Faculty Director of the Watson Post-Doctoral Fellows Program, Thomas J. Watson Jr. Institute for International and Public Affairs, Brown University 111 Thayer Street, Box 1970 Providence, RI 02912 Catherine_Lutz@brown.edu or
Keith Brown, Director of Post-Doctoral and Undergraduate Policy Programs, Thomas J. Watson Jr. Institute for International and Public Affairs, Brown University 111 Thayer Street, Box 1970 Providence, RI 02912 +1.401.863.9604 Keith_Brown@brown.edu