"Postdoctoral Research Associate in Religion and Politics"

The John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics seeks applications from junior scholars and recent Ph.D. graduates for up to two postdoctoral fellowships in residence at Washington University in St. Louis. The appointment is for one year, renewable for a second year. Eligible applicants must complete the Ph.D. by July 1, 2026, and are expected to have completed it no earlier than January 1, 2021. In exceptional cases a qualified applicant who completed the Ph.D. prior to 2021 may be considered. Research associates will spend most of their time pursuing research and writing for their own projects. They will also serve the intellectual life of the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics through participation in its biweekly interdisciplinary seminar and events hosted by the Center. Their teaching responsibilities will include: 1) developing one course per year to complement and contribute to the Center’s curricular offerings, and 2) possibly assisting in one additional course each year. Washington University in St. Louis is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and especially encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply.

Required Qualifications: Applicants should hold a doctorate in religious studies, politics, anthropology, law, philosophy, theology, English, American studies, history, Jewish studies, Islamic studies, sociology, or another relevant field. Scholars should be engaged in projects centrally concerned with religion and politics in the United States, historically or in the present day. Fellows are expected to be in residence throughout the time of their fellowship.

Application Instructions: To apply, send a letter of application including an overview of the postdoctoral research project, current curriculum vitae, relevant writing sample (25-35 pages), and two undergraduate course proposals (a summary paragraph for each will suffice) to our Interfolio listing at: apply.interfolio.com/177513. Applicants should also arrange to have three letters of recommendation submitted via Interfolio.

Applications are due in full by January 5, 2026. Applicants will be notified of fellowship decisions by March 1, 2026. For more information, contact the Center at (314) 935-9345 or via e-mail at rap@wustl.edu.