The Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS) at Princeton University is pleased to introduce a groundbreaking fellowship program. As a leading global institution in interdisciplinary research on international issues, PIIRS is dedicated to advancing innovative scholarship that addresses the world's most pressing challenges. The PIIRS Postdoctoral Fellows Program is integral to that mission.

We will award multiple postdoctoral fellowships to our inaugural cohort in 2025-2026, recent

PhDs in the Social Sciences who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship, congruent with the Institute’s intellectual focus, that simultaneously advances theoretical debates in their disciplinary field; creatively speaks to and engages with a multidisciplinary audience; and deepens substantive regional knowledge of specific places. 

Appointments are for one year (12 months) with the possibility of renewal pending satisfactory performance and continued funding. Fellows must reside on campus during the academic year to fully engage with PIIRS and university activities. Leveraging Princeton’s scholarly resources, fellows will focus on research, expand their intellectual horizons, and prepare work for publication. They will have biweekly meetings with the faculty director to share their work, and monthly meetings with faculty fellows from various social sciences to present their work and learn from others. Fellows are also encouraged to engage with colleagues and attend departmental seminars.

Applicants must demonstrate outstanding scholarly achievement and promise. To be eligible, applicants generally cannot have more than two years of postdoctoral experience prior to the start of the appointment, at the beginning of the academic year, September 1, 2025.

The postdoctoral selection will be made based on the strength of the candidates’ scholarly record; the promise of the proposed research; and the ability to contribute to the intellectual life of the postdoctoral program (with interest in connecting with other PIIRS and Princeton departments on campus).  

In addition to a competitive salary, benefits, and housing subsidy, the program will provide the Fellow with the opportunity to host a small, pre-publication, book workshop; and a research fund of $4,000 per year.         

Applicants must apply online at  https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/apply/application.xhtml?listingId=35401 .  Applications are due by November 1, 2024 (11:59 p.m. EST). The following application items should be uploaded by the applicant:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Transcripts
• Research Proposal indicating plans for two-year postdoc (maximum 5 pages doublespaced
• Dissertation abstract (including Table of Contents)
• Writing sample: one chapter of the dissertation or one published article related to dissertation topic.
• Document confirming either that you have completed all requirements for the PhD degree or a letter signed from your dissertation advisor indicating that you will complete the PhD by the start date of the fellowship
• The names and email addresses for three referees, who will be contacted automatically by the online application system with an invitation to upload their letter of recommendation to the system by the application deadline. (**Please note: all letters of reference should be submitted by your referees before the November 1, 2024 deadline. **)  

Further information can be found at https://piirs.princeton.edu/funding-fellowships/piirspostdoctoral-fellows.

This position is subject to the University's background check policy.  The work location for this position is in-person on campus at Princeton University.   

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Princeton University Princeton Institute for International & Regional Studies

International and regional studies have never been more important. We live in a globalized and yet highly unequal world — one with great opportunities and great constraints. We can celebrate and learn from the creativity and bravery of those around the globe, especially those who are creatively and doggedly advancing a more democratic, inclusive and sustainable world. But so too we have much to understand and redress, including climate change, health crises, democratic backsliding, economic precarity and racial injustice among other issues. Princeton University is fortunate to have faculty and students who are eager to understand the world in which we live. So too the University is fortunate to have the resources to support cutting-edge research and teaching. These are privileges not afforded all institutions around the globe. And, with that great privilege comes great responsibility. It is in this context that PIIRS has both an institutional and normative responsibility to interrogate the human condition writ large and to promote international engagement and collaboration. We aim to do so in various ways.

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