Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cities and Communities

Job Details

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first research university and home to nine world-class academic divisions working together as one university.

Salary: $80,000-$85,000 a year

Johns Hopkins University: School of Government and Policy

Description

The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) School of Government and Policy (SGP) invites applications from highly qualified, recent PhD graduates who possess a demonstrated interest in studying the topics, issues and challenges faced by cities and communities in the United States and globally.

SGP intentionally sits at the intersection of scholarly knowledge and practical expertise, and through its multi-disciplinary faculty and academic centers (Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence (GovEx), Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation (BCPI) and Center for Opportunity and Wealth Data (COWD), the school offers unmatched technical expertise, practitioner networks, and leading initiatives on data analytics and public innovation practices focused on cities and communities.

SGP seeks applicants who are interested in spending 1 to 2 years within our growing school community, receiving mentorship from school faculty, engaging with, and contributing to the work of the centers, our city partners and with students from SGP and across JHU.

• This is full-time research position.
• The position is a one-year appointment, with the potential for a one-year extension.
• The position offers competitive compensation and benefits.
• The appointment will begin Fall 2026, or as soon thereafter as a successful candidate is identified.

Core Responsibilities

• Explore, assess, and research specific issues relevant to cities and communities through deep engagement with faculty, other academic collaborators across JHU, the school centers, and municipalities.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the mission and programs of work implemented by the centers and the key research questions underpinning their work.
• Undertake field visits to cities and communities facilitated through and performed in collaboration with staff from the centers.
• Advance thought leadership by generating published research, position papers, and case studies and participate in and lead school and university seminars, symposia, and other events.
• Assist in development of teaching materials and presentations and engage with students from SGP and across JHU by participating in the delivery of instruction.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates for the postdoctoral fellowship position must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• A PhD degree in political science, public administration, public policy, economics, sociology, urban planning, urban studies, or a related discipline is required and must be conferred by employment start date.
• A demonstrated strong commitment to academic research with particular interest and expertise in AI and its impact on cities and communities or factors that influence successful models for public sector innovation, including civic engagement and participatory governance.
• A strong record of high-quality scholarly output or evidence of a promising publication trajectory (peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, case studies, policy reports, or equivalent).
• Experience conducting or participating in empirical or theoretical research using appropriate methods (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, ethnography, policy analysis, etc.).
• Experience writing policy briefs, position papers or case studies and capacity to translate research findings for academic and non-academic audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, experience in student instruction, and the ability to present research to scholarly, policy, and community stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, community partners, municipal practitioners, and/or policymakers on projects of mutual interest.

Application Instructions

Applications must be submitted via Interfolio and include:

• Curriculum vitae
• Three (3) professional references
• A maximum of three (3) relevant research papers or other types of scholarly publications
• A letter of interest summarizing qualifications, areas of expertise, research interests, and career goals