"Weatherhead Scholars Program - Sang Kee Kim Postdoctoral Fellowship in International Affairs of East and Southeast Asia"

Position Description

The Weatherhead Scholars Program at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs invites applications for the 2026-2027 Sang Kee Kim Postdoctoral Fellowship, a one-year, residential opportunity for early-career scholars in the social sciences whose research focuses on East Asia and Southeast Asia (excluding Japan and China).

The Sang Kee Kim Postdoctoral Fellow will join a multidisciplinary cohort—including other postdoctoral fellows, visiting faculty and practitioner fellows—in residence at Harvard for the academic year. The program fosters a dynamic intellectual community through a weekly seminar, professional development workshops, and engagement with the broader Weatherhead Center and Harvard communities. Fellows are expected to be on campus from late August through mid-May and to participate actively in program activities.

About the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs

The Weatherhead Center is Harvard's largest international research center, supporting rigorous scholarship on global, comparative, transnational, and international issues. Founded in 1958, the Center brings together faculty, fellows, and students from across the University to address pressing global challenges, including conflict and governance, inequality, environmental change, migration, and international development. It serves as an interdisciplinary hub for research, exchange, and public dialogue.

About the Weatherhead Scholars Program

The Weatherhead Scholars Program is a flagship initiative of the Center that brings together an intellectually diverse, international cohort of postdoctoral researchers, visiting faculty, and practitioner fellows for a year-long residency. Fellows pursue independent research while participating in a weekly seminar, professional development sessions, and collaborative programming across the Center. The program cultivates a vibrant intellectual community that bridges academia and practice, drawing scholars from a wide range of disciplines and professional backgrounds—including government, journalism, diplomacy, civil society, and academia.

Benefits

The Sang Kee Kim Postdoctoral Fellowship provides a $70,000, payable over twelve months.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must have received a PhD within the past three calendar years in a relevant social science field—such as political science, sociology, anthropology, history, economics, public policy, or international relations. Research must focus on East Asia or Southeast Asia (excluding Japan and China). The PhD must be conferred before the fellowship start date. Preference is given to recent graduates who have not previously held a postdoctoral position.

Special Instructions

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS October 15, 2025. PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR A LIST OF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

Contact Information

Walid Hammam
Director, Weatherhead Scholars Program
Weatherhead Center for International Affairs
Harvard University
Please see the Weatherhead Scholars Program website and Frequently Asked Questions before contacting.
Contact Email: walid_hammam@wcfia.harvard.edu