"Postdoctoral Research Associate, Thomas J. Watson Jr. School of International and Public Affairs and Department of History 2026-2028"

The Watson School for International and Public Affairs and the Department of History at Brown University invite applications for a two-year joint Postdoctoral Research Associate position beginning in the Fall of 2026.

Participants in this program will join an interdisciplinary community of scholars engaged in theoretically and substantively important research addressing the most pressing global issues of our time. The Watson School’s unique structure - including scholars from a wide range of disciplines who are also appointed in partner departments - allows post-docs to benefit from both a broad academic community while remaining closely connected with top scholars within their discipline, thus allowing them to pursue research and participate fully in the intellectual life of the School. Postdoctoral Research Associates will also teach one seminar course per year of up to nineteen students as well as present a work in progress to an interdisciplinary group.

The selection process is highly competitive; we anticipate selecting 1-2 scholars within this particular search. Applicants must have received their Ph.D. since September 1, 2024 or intend to receive their Ph.D. before July 1, 2026. Individuals who are currently – or have previously been – postdoctoral fellows or postdoctoral research associates in other programs are not eligible to apply. Watson Post-Docs will receive a competitive salary, for this benefits-eligible position. Additional funding will be made available for research expenses and research-related programming on campus.

Selected candidates who have not completed all requirements for their doctoral degree by the position state date will be appointed as a Research Associate at a reduced salary until all degree requirements are completed.

For this position, Brown offers only the J-1 visa classification to scholars who need immigration sponsorship in order to enter the U.S. and commence lawful employment under the terms of their appointment.

This postdoctoral position offers early-career scholars the opportunity to pursue independent research while engaging with leading faculty across both the Watson School for International and Public Affairs and the Department of History. We are seeking a labor historian whose scholarship focuses on such issues as migration, displacement, and human trafficking; automation, technology, and processes of global integration; or gender, sexuality, and the politics of reproductive labor. The position is open to scholars working in any chronological period or geographical area, but the ideal candidate will be able to put their research into productive conversation with the interdisciplinary work of the Watson School.

Application Instructions

To receive full consideration, the following materials should be submitted by January 15, 2026 to the application portal:

• A cover letter stating the applicant's academic field, status of their dissertation, and proposed research to be conducted during their fellowship period. The cover letter should not exceed 2,000 words and should make clear how the candidate will thrive in and contribute to both Watson’s interdisciplinary environment and the Department of History, as well as how they would contribute to the research and/or teaching missions of our diverse and inclusive university community
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• A copy of each graduate transcript.
• A writing sample, preferably an article or dissertation chapter
• Three confidential letters of recommendation from scholars familiar with the applicant’s research.

Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2026; to receive full consideration applications should be received by that date. Awards will be announced by March 15, 2026.

For further information regarding the Watson Postdoctoral Program, please visit the Watson School website (watson.brown.edu) or contact:

Professor Rose McDermott, Faculty Director of the Watson Postdoctoral Program, Thomas J. Watson Jr. School for International and Public Affairs, Brown University, 111 Thayer Street, Box 1970 Providence, RI 02912, Rose_Mcdermott@brown.edu or Professor Seth Rockman, Department of History, Box N, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, Seth_Rockman@brown.edu

For information about the application process, please email: Watson_Applications@brown.edu