"Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Experimental Humanities Lab at the University of Pennsylvania"

Job Description

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Open Date: Mar 24, 2026
Deadline: Apr 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

The Experimental Humanities Lab at the University of Pennsylvania announces a Postdoctoral Fellowship. The stipend is $68,000 and the successful candidate will receive $5,000 in relocation expenses in the first year. The postdoctoral researcher will also receive a shared office space and access to libraries and other resources at Penn. The fellowship may be renewed for a third year, based on satisfactory performance and the existence of funding. The fellow will be required to reside in the greater Philadelphia area and applicants must be able to provide documentation/proof of work authorization in the U.S.

Penn has a five-year term limit for postdocs, so candidates ideally have 0-2 years of previous postdoc time.

Eligibility

The applicant who is awarded the fellowship must complete all requirements for the Ph.D. degree (dissertation deposited) by October 2026.

Application Requirements

To apply, please submit:

• A cover letter explaining your past work and how your background aligns with the lab's mission. Please also include a description of a "dream project" you would like to pursue in your letter (2-3 pages)
• A curriculum vitae (CV) in any format.
• A writing sample (published or unpublished)
• Names and contact information for two references

Applications will be accepted only via Interfolio here: The application must be submitted by 11 p.m. EST April. 22, 2026.

The Experimental Humanities Lab at the University of Pennsylvania invites applications for a postdoctoral position, beginning in fall 2026 (start date flexible). Led by Professor Fritz Breithaupt, the lab investigates the cognitive and cultural functions of narrative-how people think, remember, communicate, and make sense of their lives through storytelling. Our research spans narrative thinking, empathy, life memories, fiction, emotion, and the intersection of AI and storytelling.

The lab operates as an open space for collaborative projects. All members, including the incoming postdoc, are encouraged to propose new directions and lead initiatives. We are also committed to expanding the lab's public-facing impact by using our research to advocate for storytelling as a tool to improve lives and foster human connection through immersion in narratives.

The postdoc will work closely with the PI and contribute to the lab's interdisciplinary projects. An initial focus will be assisting in setting up the lab at Penn, at the intersection of the humanities and the MindCORE program. This role will also include collaborating with the PI on grant proposals.

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Holds a PhD in a relevant field (e.g., literary studies, cognitive science, psychology, philosophy, media studies, informatics, medical humanities, linguistics, or related disciplines)
• Brings exciting ideas for research
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of how narratives work, including a sensibility for close reading
• Has strong experience with empirical research methods (e.g., experimental design, statistical analysis, programming, or computational approaches)
• Is eager to work across disciplinary boundaries in a collaborative and dynamic intellectual environment

Preferred qualifications:

• Prior work in the area of experimental humanities (work at the intersection of the humanities and cognitive science/psychology)
• Experience with large grant applications
• A track record of interdisciplinary collaboration

The postdoc will be based at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and will play an integral role in shaping and advancing the Experimental Humanities Lab's research agenda.

For inquiries, please contact fritzbr@sas.upenn.edu