Kenda Mutongi

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) History Section is offering two 2-year Postdoctoral Fellowships in Middle Eastern History as part of the new History of Now Initiative. These fellowships, running from July 2026 to July 2028, are designed for outstanding junior scholars whose research engages with Arab and/or Jewish History in the Middle East and North Africa, across any time period. The initiative is particularly interested in candidates working on Palestinian and/or Israeli history or the history of Jewish-Muslim relations. Fellows will be full-time residents at MIT during the academic year and will be assigned a committee of faculty mentors, including Professors Kenda Mutongi and Eric Goldberg, who provide inaugural guidance for the initiative. The program offers opportunities to share work-in-progress with History faculty and to convene a first-book manuscript workshop. Responsibilities include active participation in the intellectual life of MIT’s History Section, presenting at least one public lecture during the fellowship term, and teaching one course per academic year, determined in consultation with the faculty and aligned with both the fellow’s expertise and the Section’s curricular needs. Applicants must have received a Ph.D. in History or a related field within the past five years and no later than July 2026. Application materials required are a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement (approximately 1,500 words), writing sample (dissertation chapter or scholarly article), and names of two recommenders. The annual salary is aligned with MIT’s standard for postdoctoral associates, and fellows are eligible for all MIT employee benefits. The application deadline is October 22, 2025, with Zoom interviews for semi-finalists in November and campus interviews for finalists in December. Questions may be directed to Kathleen Lopes at the provided email address. MIT is committed to diversity and equal opportunity, encouraging applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check. Further information about the History of Now Initiative can be found at the provided MIT History website.