SBS Korean Studies Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Social Sciences

**Application Deadline: January 12, 2025 (Sun) 5:00pm EST  
**Recommendation Letters Deadline: January 26, 2025 (Sun) 5:00pm EST  

Department/Areas: social sciences; especially global Korean diaspora, Korea-US relations, international relations, and/or political economy  

With generous support from the SBS Foundation Research Fund, the Korea Institute at Harvard University invites applications for a Korean Studies postdoctoral fellowship in the social sciences. Applicants whose research focuses on global Korean diaspora, Korea-US relations, international relations, and/or political economy are especially encouraged to apply.   

FELLOWSHIP GRANT 

The fellowship covers a 12-month period between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026. This health benefits-eligible fellowship provides a stipend of $70,000 with an additional $3,000 for research and professional development.  The postdoctoral fellow will have access to the libraries and resources of Harvard University and ordinarily will be assigned a desk in a shared office space.  

FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS 

Residence in the Cambridge/Boston area during the fellowship period is required. The fellow will be expected to participate actively in Korea Institute programs and engage in the academic life of the larger Harvard community. The fellow will be required to teach one undergraduate course on modern Korean history. The fellow will have the opportunity to present their research through one of Korea Institute’s public talk forums.   

ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION SUBMISSION 

Applicants must have received their Ph.D. degree within five years of the postdoctoral appointment year (i.e., 2020 or later). The applicant who is offered the fellowship must have a registrar certified Ph.D. degree by June 30, 2025. All applicants should possess a high level of proficiency in Korean.  
  

The SBS Korean Studies Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Social Sciences online application is available on the Harvard University ARIeS (Academic Recruiting Information eSystem):  
ARIeS link: https://academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/14043 

The ARIeS application includes the following components: 

Personal Information: candidate information, contact information, educational background, visa sponsorship 

References: Two reference letters are required. On your online application, two reference entries must be created. Once your application is submitted by the applicant deadline, ARIeS will automatically generate reference solicitation emails to your recommenders. Reference letters must be submitted by the recommender deadline. Your application will not be considered complete until all reference letters are received; it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the reference letters are submitted on time.

Supplemental Questions: 

Please state your thesis title.

Please state a short summary of your research plans during fellowship period (c. 40 words).

Please provide a brief statement of teaching interests.

Do you have a continuing teaching position? If yes, where?  If teaching, have you obtained approval from your dept. to accept a postdoctoral position (if received) for your fellowship year? If no, please state your current affiliation.

Have you previously applied for a Harvard postdoctoral fellowship? If yes, when and which specific one?

Are you currently applying for other postdoctoral fellowships? If so, which/where?

Have you ever had a Harvard ID previously? If yes, please provide the HUID number.

Please indicate your current employment status and institution. (e.g. graduate student/PhD candidate; postdoctoral fellow; non-tenure track position; tenure-track position; unaffiliated)

Required Documents: Please upload each of the following required documents to your application.

Cover letter 

Curriculum vitae: please include *citizenship*, current and permanent addresses, telephone number/s, email address(es); academic degrees with dates of conferral, discipline and institution, list of publications; current employer 

Dissertation abstract 

Dissertation table of contents with chapter outlines (up to 3 pages) 

Plan of research (up to 2 pages) 

Submit a writing sample—include either a dissertation chapter in English (less than 40 pages, double-spaced) OR a journal article in English (published within the last two years) 

One course proposal related to the general description of the postdoctoral fellowship (for undergraduate students). The fellow will be required to teach one undergraduate course on modern Korean history. 

Teaching/Advising statement (describing teaching philosophy, goals, methods, and prior experience) 

Official transcript of grades. Please scan and upload your official electronic transcript as part of your complete application. If your Ph.D. comes from a non-US university that does not issue an official transcript of grades, please submit alternative documentation of your enrollment and progress in the degree program, as well as a written statement that you are unable to provide an official transcript of grades. 

The Korea Institute acknowledges the generous support of the SBS Foundation Research Fund that makes possible the SBS Korean Studies Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Social Sciences and other opportunities to advance new scholarly horizons in Korean Studies via research and innovative teaching on original topics. 

Harvard is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, military service, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or other protected status. 

Further inquiries should be directed to:   

Dr. Michelle Choi, Director of Programs, Korea Institute, Harvard University   
kipostdoc@fas.harvard.edu