Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Africa Initiative at Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University, 2025-2027

Description

As part of a broader commitment to develop its programmatic focus on Africa, the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University seeks to appoint a postdoctoral research associate who will participate actively in the Africa Initiative. Broadly, the Watson Institute aspires to promote a just and peaceful world through research, teaching, and public engagement. The Africa Initiative postdoctoral research associate will contribute to this core mission with a specific focus on Africa. A main aim is to galvanize the careers of young social scientists conducting research in Africa related to the Institute’s three core thematic areas: development, governance, and security. Participants in this program will join an interdisciplinary community of scholars engaged in theoretically and substantively important research addressing the most pressing global issues of our time. This is a one-year renewable position, for a maximum of two years, with the expectation that postdoctoral research associate will pursue research and participate fully in the intellectual life of the Africa Initiative and the Institute. PDRAs will also teach one course per year in the Institute or in an affiliated Brown University social science department. The Watson Institute is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the academic community.

Qualifications

The competition is open to candidates from the social sciences, including anthropology, economics, history, political science, and sociology. The selection process is open with regard to nationality. Candidates from or located in Africa are strongly encouraged to apply. Scholars who have received their PhDs within three years of the application deadline are eligible to apply. Postdoctoral research associates will receive an annual stipend of $75,000, for this benefits-eligible position. Additional funding will be made available for research expenses and research-related programming on campus. Candidates selected for postdoctoral fellow positions who have not completed their dissertations by July 1, 2025, will be paid a reduced salary and appointed as a research associate until their dissertation is defended.

Application Instructions

To receive full consideration, the following materials should be submitted by November 15, 2024, via Interfolio.

·      A cover letter stating the applicant's academic field, status of their dissertation, and proposed research to be conducted during their fellowship period. The cover letter should not exceed 2,000 words and should make clear the focus on Africa as well as where in the Institute's core areas of security, development, or governance the proposed research best fits. Please also include a statement about teaching in a diverse and inclusive classroom.

·      An up-to-date curriculum vitae.

·      A copy of each graduate transcript. 

·      A writing sample.

·      Three letters of recommendation from scholars familiar with the applicant’s research. 

Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2024; to receive full consideration applications should be received by that date.  Awards will be announced in February 2025.

For further information regarding the Watson Institute’s Africa Initiative Postdoctoral Fellow position, please contact:

Professor Daniel Jordan Smith, Director of the Africa Initiative, Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs: daniel_j_smith@brown.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

As an EEO/AA employer, Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.