Postdoctoral Fellow, Intellectual Pluralism and the Scholarly Habitus

School: Harvard Radcliffe Institute

Position Description

Position Description

The Postdoctoral Fellow will work on a project directed by Professors Michèle Lamont and Neil Gross , within a new Interdisciplinary Research Collaborative at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute focused on intellectual pluralism and the changing scholarly habitus in higher education.

This Collaborative brings together an interdisciplinary group of scholars to examine how professors and students understand and navigate political similarity and difference; how they interpret and practice academic freedom; how they manage the boundary between their roles as scholars and as citizens; and how these dynamics shape research, teaching, student experience, and the production and circulation of knowledge.

Drawing on survey and qualitative methods, and informed by scholarship in sociology, anthropology, political science, history, STS, and related fields, the project will generate new empirical evidence and conceptual tools to inform both scholarly debates and public discourse on intellectual diversity and higher education.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to research design and implementation, including helping to refine research questions and methods, and assisting with survey and interview design.
• Coordinate and support data collection in collaboration with an external research firm (e.g., survey administration, monitoring data quality, pilot and longitudinal waves).
• Analyze quantitative data and develop independent lines of analysis within the project's overarching framework.
• Co-author scholarly outputs, including working papers, journal articles, and contributions to collaborative publications.
• Participate in project meetings and events, including seminars with invited experts, and contribute to the creation of a de-identified, publicly available dataset.
• Help translate research findings for broader audiences, including policymakers, journalists, and the public, in collaboration with the Faculty Leads and Radcliffe staff.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in sociology, political science or higher education. Candidates must have the Ph.D. in hand at the time of application expect to successfully defend their dissertation by September 1, 2026.
• Strong background in social survey analysis and quantitative methods (e.g., survey design, measurement, statistical analysis). Computational skills are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated interest in at least one of the project's core themes, such as:
  • Intellectual pluralism and academic freedom
  • Sociology of knowledge, expertise, and professions
  • Higher education, student experience, or campus politics
  • Political polarization, democratic discourse, or related topics

Additional Qualifications

• A record of research and publication (or strong promise thereof) relevant to the project's themes.
• Experience with large-scale survey data and/or mixed-methods research.
• Familiarity with debates on academic freedom, campus politics, or the public role of universities in the US context.
• Strong writing and communication skills, including interest in writing for both scholarly and public audiences.

Special Instructions

Appointment:
This is a half-time (50% FTE) postdoctoral appointment, initially for one year beginning on or about July 15, 2026, with the possibility of renewal for up to a total of three years, contingent on performance and funding.

Location

Postdoctoral Fellows are generally expected to be in residence at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute for the duration of their appointment, as regular interaction with the team and affiliated faculty is essential for engagement and mentorship. In some cases, we will consider a remote postdoctoral fellowship, provided the fellow works in a Harvard-approved payroll state (CA, CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA).

Application Instructions:
Applications must be submitted by June 15, 2026, to receive full consideration. Letters of recommendation may be submitted until June 21, 2026, to allow referees additional time once your application is complete. Applications missing any required materials after these dates will not be reviewed.

A complete application includes:
1. Cover letter (approximately 1 page) describing:

• Your interest in the Intellectual Pluralism and Scholarly Habitus project
• How your background aligns with the project's goals
• Your experience with relevant research methods

2. Curriculum vitae (CV ).

3. Research statement (2-4 pages) that:

• Describes your current research
• Explains how it relates to themes of intellectual pluralism, academic freedom, higher education, or the sociology of knowledge
• Outlines how you envision contributing to this collaborative project

4. One writing sample (up to 25 pages), such as a published article, dissertation chapter, or working paper.

• The sample may be an excerpt from a longer work (if so, please note the source).
• Co-authored work is acceptable if clearly indicated.

5. Letters of Recommendation (three)

• Once you submit your application, including the names and email addresses of your three referees, the system will automatically send each of them an email with instructions and a secure link for uploading their recommendation letter.
• Three letters of recommendation are required for your application to be reviewed.
• You will not be able to upload letters on behalf of your referees, so please be sure their contact information is accurate and up to date.
• Before submitting your application, we recommend confirming that each referee has agreed to write a letter on your behalf.
• Referees will have a brief grace period to submit their letters. While your application must be submitted by June 15, 2026, letters of recommendation may be submitted until June 21, 2026.
• We strongly encourage you to stay in close communication with your referees to ensure they submit their letters by June 21, 2026, as the program will not be following up with them on your behalf.

Contact Information

Asma Shariff
69 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

Contact Email: [email protected]

Salary Range

$37,000-$42,000, representing the prorated amount for a half-time (50% FTE) postdoctoral appointment.

Minimum Number of References Required: 3

Maximum Number of References Allowed: 3