Postdoctoral Fellow in Global Entrepreneurship Northwestern University in United States

The Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs at Northwestern University is inviting applications for the Lal Postdoctoral Fellow in Global Entrepreneurship, a full-time fixed-term postdoctoral appointment for the 2027–28 academic year, with the possibility of renewal for an additional year depending on performance and funding.

This fellowship is designed for an early-career scholar whose research sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship and global affairs. The Lal Initiative in Global Entrepreneurship will examine how entrepreneurship is shaped by international systems, including state capacity and governance, trade policy, geopolitical rivalry over technology and supply chains, and the role of migration and diaspora networks in moving capital, people, and entrepreneurial norms across borders. The program is especially interested in how entrepreneurs build legitimacy and trust in cross-national settings and how they draw on kinship, professional, religious, educational, and ethnic networks to raise capital and recruit talent.

The fellow will join a new initiative with the opportunity to help shape its future direction. Responsibilities include independent and/or collaborative research, publication in leading peer-reviewed journals or equivalent outputs such as policy briefs, conference presentations, collaboration with faculty and doctoral students, and the production of original business case studies for teaching and archives.

Teaching is a significant part of the role. The fellow will teach one to two quarter-long undergraduate courses per year, hold office hours, and advise student projects. The appointment also includes convening events, workshops, and engagement with industry or alumni, as well as helping grow the profile of the Lal Initiative through partnerships with universities and companies.

Applicants may come from social science disciplines such as economics, history, sociology, political science, psychology, anthropology, or geography, or from business-related fields such as entrepreneurship, strategy, international business, political economy, management, organizational behavior, finance, economics, or information systems. Current Ph.D. candidates and recent graduates are encouraged to apply if they expect to complete all Ph.D. requirements by June 2027. In exceptional cases, applicants with an equivalent terminal degree such as an MBA or JD plus relevant work experience may also be considered, provided the terminal degree was conferred after June 2024.

The position offers a competitive salary of $64,000, benefits, research/travel funding if applicable, shared office space, and mentorship from faculty. The appointment begins on 1 September 2027, and the application deadline is 1 December 2026. Review begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF through the Postdoctoral Fellowship Application portal and should include a cover letter addressing the research agenda, teaching interests, and program-building interests; a curriculum vitae; a job market paper or writing sample; a research statement; evidence of teaching effectiveness; and the names and email addresses of three referees. Letters of reference are due by 7 December 2026. Questions may be directed to Dr. Samantha Nissen, Senior Director, Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, at [email protected].