Postdoctoral Fellow in Intellectual Pluralism and the Scholarly Habitus Harvard Radcliffe Institute in United States

Harvard Radcliffe Institute is advertising a half-time postdoctoral fellowship for a new three-year Interdisciplinary Research Collaborative focused on intellectual pluralism and the changing scholarly habitus in higher education.

The project is directed by Professors Michèle Lamont and Neil Gross and brings together scholars working on how professors and students navigate political similarity and difference, academic freedom, the boundary between scholars and citizens, and how these dynamics shape research, teaching, student experience, and the circulation of knowledge.

The role is especially suited to candidates with training in sociology, political science, or higher education, and strong skills in survey research, quantitative methods, survey design, measurement, and statistical analysis. Computational skills are highly desirable. The project also welcomes interest in sociology of knowledge, expertise and professions, campus politics, political polarization, and democratic discourse.

Responsibilities include helping design and implement the research, supporting survey and interview work, coordinating data collection with an external research firm, analyzing quantitative data, co-authoring scholarly outputs, participating in seminars and project events, contributing to a de-identified public dataset, and helping translate findings for scholarly and public audiences.

The appointment is based at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute in the United States, with in-residence participation generally expected. In some cases, a remote arrangement may be considered for applicants working in a Harvard-approved payroll state.

Funding: This is a paid postdoctoral appointment at 50% FTE with a salary range of $37,000-$42,000 prorated for the half-time role. The initial term is one year from around July 15, 2026, with possible renewal up to three years depending on performance and funding.

Deadline: Applications are due June 15, 2026. Three recommendation letters are required, and referees may submit letters until June 21, 2026.

How to apply: Submit a cover letter, CV, research statement, writing sample, and referee details through the Harvard Academic Positions portal. Make sure your referees have agreed in advance and that their contact information is accurate.