"Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Smith Institute, Fall 2026"

Description

The Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy at Chapman University invites applications for a two-year Post Doctoral position, beginning August 2026.

Chapman University is a nationally ranked, R2 Carnegie Classified, private institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. Chapman’s campuses are home to nearly 10,000 students representing 50 states, three territories, and 87 countries. The 11 schools and colleges of Chapman, including Schmid College of Science and Technology, offer 65 bachelor's, 53 master's, and six doctoral programs, along with nearly 60 minors and 17 accelerated and bridge programs. Classes are taught by more than 1,100 dedicated faculty members who are leaders in their fields, including Nobel Prize recipients, MacArthur Fellows, National Medal of Science honorees, former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, and Emmy, Grammy, and Academy Award winners.

The mission of the Smith Institute is to reintegrate the study of the humanities and economics in the spirit of Adam Smith, the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, and to recombine research and undergraduate education as a discovery process in the spirit of Vernon Smith, the progenitor of experimental economics.

Responsibilities

The Post Doc will be expected to teach one course per year and to plan, design, and conduct complex research independently and in consultation with the supervisor and other Smith Institute colleagues. The Post Doc will prepare this research for publication and/or presentation.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Qualified candidates will hold a Ph.D. by the start of the appointment in August 2026. The doctorate must be awarded within the last 5 years.
• Candidates in Economics, Philosophy, Political Science, or other fields related to the Smith Institute’s mission will be considered.
• We especially seek candidates who demonstrate potential for exceptional research and teaching, and who exhibit willingness to collaborate with the Smith Institute faculty in realization of its mission, and the ability to generate and publish research of the highest quality.

Desired Qualifications:

• An eagerness to incorporate literature and film in research and teaching

Application Instructions

Qualified applicants are invited to apply electronically by submitting the following:

• A cover letter addressing the fit of the candidate’s research and teaching with the mission of the Smith Institute.
• Curriculum Vitae
• A recent research paper
• Contact information for three professional references

Inquiries may be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Brennan McDavid (mcdavid@chapman.edu), Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange CA 92866, USA. Please use “Smith Institute Post Doc” in the email subject line.

Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025 and will continue until filled. To ensure full consideration of their application, candidates should submit by November 30, 2025. The salary for this position is $70,304.00 This position is subject to final budget approval. Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.