"Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI)"

Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI)

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Open Date: Jan 15, 2026

The Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI) at the University of Pennsylvania invites applications to fill a postdoctoral researcher position for the 2026-2027 academic year. Applicants from the humanities and social sciences whose work focuses on contemporary India are encouraged to apply. We welcome candidates from a wide range of disciplinary traditions and methodological orientations.

CASI welcomes applications from scholars who have received their Ph.D. or equivalent degrees, or who will complete their degree by June 30, 2026. The term of appointment is July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027 and the Ph.D. must be in hand to begin the appointment.Since the fellowship is intended for early career scholars, Ph.D.s must have been received in 2023 or after. The position may be renewable for up to one additional year conditional on performance and budgetary approval.

The fellowship will provide the appointee opportunities to pursue their own research and ideally to also collaborate on research projects undertaken by the Center. There is no teaching requirement. Innovative new project proposals by fellows may also be considered and modestly funded by the Center.

The successful candidate will also be expected to help organize some of the Center's core activities, including seminars and workshops, and have opportunities to interact with an array of distinguished visiting speakers, scholars and fellows. Because fellows are expected to be fully integrated with the intellectual life of the Center, the appointee must plan to physically reside in the vicinity of the University of Pennsylvania, and be a regular presence at the Center. The fellowship includes a stipend of at least $67,000, contingent upon proof of conferral of the Ph.D. degree, a $3,500 research fund, and shared-cost health insurance.

Since its founding in 1992 within the School of Arts & Sciences (SAS), CASI has continued to uphold Penn's global reputation as a leading U.S. institution of research in South Asian studies and scholarship on India. CASI's goals are to engage in research; host scholars and policymakers; and convene conversations through seminars, workshops, conferences, and publications. Our program values interdisciplinary research, collaboration, and collegiality.

Qualifications

CASI welcomes applications from scholars who have received their Ph.D. or equivalent degrees, or who will complete their degree by June 30, 2026. The term of appointment is July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027 and the Ph.D. must be in hand to begin the appointment. Since the fellowship is intended for early career scholars, Ph.D.s must have been received in 2023 or after.

Application Instructions

We will accept applications immediately with review beginning on February 2, 2026 and continuing until the selections are final.

To apply, please submit the following required documents to: apply.interfolio.com/180112.

1. Cover Letter addressed to the "Selection Committee", CASI (maximum 2 pages).
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Research Statement (maximum 2 pages, double spaced)
4. Writing Sample (20-25 pages approximately, double spaced, 12 point font in Times New Roman or equivalent length published work. Can include a supplement / appendix which will not count against page limit).
5. Contact information for two faculty advisors who can provide a letter of recommendation upon request.

Please direct questions to casi@sas.upenn.edu