"SNF Agora Postdoctoral Fellow"

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: $70,000

Description

Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University invites applications for a visiting Postdoctoral Fellowship for scholars conducting research on political behavior, public opinion, political identities, and democratic resilience. The Fellow will work under the supervision of Dr. Lilliana Mason and will have opportunities for collaboration with SNF Agora faculty, research staff, students, and other visiting Fellows.

The Fellow will contribute to research in the new Democracy and Division Lab, an interdisciplinary research group examining how identity, civic trust, and institutional design interact to strengthen or undermine democracy. The position includes opportunities to lead independent research projects, co-author publications, access original datasets regularly collected by the Lab, and participate in ongoing research initiatives. The Fellow will also help mentor undergraduate and graduate students involved in the Lab’s work and participate actively in the intellectual life of the Institute.

This fellowship is a one-year appointment, renewable for up to five years, contingent on performance and funding.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD in Political Science or a related field completed by the start of the appointment (summer/fall 2026). Competitive candidates will demonstrate:

• A strong research record in democracy, political behavior, or political psychology;
• Proficiency in quantitative, survey-based research methods, data analysis, and data visualization;
• Experience with experimental, qualitative, or mixed-methods approaches;
• Ability to contribute to collaborative projects and to mentor students.

Applicants should state their anticipated start date and availability in the application letter.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit:

1. Application Letter describing your interest in the fellowship, alignment with SNF Agora and the Democracy and Division Lab, planned research agenda, desired start date, and relevant experience;
2. Curriculum Vitae;
3. Official Graduate Transcript;
4. Writing Sample (e.g., article, dissertation chapter, or working paper);
5. Three Letters of Recommendation.

Optional: Publications or additional writing samples may be included.

Applications will start being reviewed February 1, 2026.