"Post-Doctoral Associate in the Division of Social Science (History) - Drs. Georgi Derluguian and"

NYU Abu Dhabi is pioneering a new model of higher education for a global world, dedicated to excellence in teaching and research and to advancing cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges. Drawing on the strengths of the NYU global network, it offers an outstanding liberal arts and sciences education to students from the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and around the world, with a distinctive focus on intercultural understanding and leadership. It supports innovative research and graduate education programs that push forward the frontiers of knowledge and respond in powerful and interdisciplinary ways to vital global and local challenges.

We are inviting applications for a Post-doctoral Associate in the Division of Social Science at NYU Abu Dhabi from individuals who have a PhD in one of the broadly defined social sciences including history, economic history, archeology, and anthropology. The appointment will begin September 1, 2026, subject to final budget approval and is available for up to three years.

The post-doctoral associate will spend half their time on independent research, and half their time on collaborative research with Professors Georgi Derluguian and Robert C. Allen. The collaborative research will be on the evolution of Afro-Eurasian world economy during the ‘Bronze Age’ with a particular focus on Arabian desert and the Eurasian steppe outliers of the so-called ‘first civilizations’.

We seek a candidate with expertise in the informed reproduction of ancient technologies testing in experiments both the use value of objects and the skills/time involved in their manufacturing. The candidate should have knowledge of, and experience with: 1) copper, tin, and bronze — both their chemical properties and experience working with them in a foundry; 2) working on sites in the areas where these materials were mined and fabricated; 3) Geographical Information Systems in mapping these data and analyzing spatial patterns. An experience of working in/administering a museum is a plus. The successful candidate will engage in collaborative research with the multidisciplinary science labs (e.g. archeochemistry, metallography) on NYUAD campus and at the research wings of the newly-founded UAE museums. The primary focus is on research cooperation with historical sociologists and economists. An experience in community outreach will add another hefty plus to such candidate.

The position does not require teaching, but it may be possible to get teaching experience for compensation. You would join a group of over 20 post-doctoral fellows and 70 faculty in the Division of Social Science.

For consideration, applicants must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae with full publication list, statement of research interests, transcript and two letters of reference, all in PDF format. If you have any questions, please email Professor Georgi Derluguian at gd44@nyu.edu. Applications will be accepted until November 15, 2025.

Working for NYUAD: To help Postdoctoral Associates and faculty thrive, we offer a comprehensive benefits package. This starts with a generous relocation allowance to ensure a smooth transition to Abu Dhabi. It includes a competitive salary; housing and transportation allowances; educational assistance for your dependents attending school in the UAE; and access to health and wellness services. Click here for more information on benefits for you and your family.

About NYU Abu Dhabi: NYU Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science undergraduate program in the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering. NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU New York, and NYU Shanghai, form the backbone of NYU’s global network university, an interconnected network of portal campuses and academic centers across six continents that enable seamless international mobility of students and faculty in their pursuit of academic and scholarly activity. This global university represents a transformative shift in higher education, one in which the intellectual and creative endeavors of academia are shaped and examined through an international and multicultural perspective. As a major intellectual hub at the crossroads of the Arab world, NYUAD serves as a center for scholarly thought, advanced research, knowledge creation, and sharing, through its academic, research, and creative activities. UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply.