Fellowship

School: Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area: Center for Jewish Studies

Position Description

The Harvard University Center for Jewish Studies has opened applications for the 2026-2027 Harry Starr Fellowship in Judaica on the theme of Jewish Philosophy.

The Starr fellowships for 2026-2027 will be available exclusively to post-doctoral and early career (untenured) scholars working on any topics in Jewish philosophy - ancient, medieval, or modern. Preference will be given to scholars whose work conforms to standard methods of rational argumentation in the philosophical discipline, but candidates working in any disciplines of the humanities (philosophy, theology, literature) or the Social Sciences (anthropology, sociology, ethnography) are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have their Ph.D. by the end of January 2026* or a letter from the degree-granting institution's registrar's office as a verification document confirming that the requirements of the degree were completed, and the date on which the degree will be conferred . Please provide documentation of the Ph.D. degree upon accepting the fellowship.

Starr Fellows will work on campus for the duration of their appointment (unless University policy forbids Harvard-sponsored travel and access to Harvard buildings and resources). Fellows are expected to participate in our weekly Starr Seminars during the spring semester. We encourage fellows to come for the entire year. Starr Fellows will receive a stipend of $40,000 for the spring semester or $70,000 for the full academic year.

Basic Qualifications

Ph.D. required. Applicants must have their Ph.D. by the end of January 2026* or a letter from the degree-granting institution's registrar's office as a verification document confirming that the requirements of the degree were completed, and the date on which the degree will be conferred . Available exclusively to post-doctoral and early career (untenured) scholars working on any topics in Jewish philosophy - ancient, medieval, or modern. Preference will be given to scholars whose work conforms to standard methods of rational argumentation in the philosophical discipline.

Additional Qualifications

Candidates working in any disciplines of the humanities (philosophy, theology, literature) or the Social Sciences (anthropology, sociology, ethnography) are encouraged to apply.

Special Instructions

Applicants are required to submit a short project proposal, C.V. (all files must be pdfs), and two letters of recommendation.
Starr Fellows will work on campus for the duration of their appointment. Fellows are expected to participate in our weekly Starr Seminars during the spring semester. We encourage fellows to come for the entire year.

The application deadline is January 15, 2026.
The recommendation deadline is January 23, 2026.

Contact Information

Sandy Cantave Vil
[email protected]
Program Coordinator

Center for Jewish Studies at Harvard University

6 Divinity Ave, Suite 210

Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 495-4326

Contact Email: [email protected]

Salary Range

$40,000 for the spring semester or $70,000 for the full academic year.

Minimum Number of References Required: 2

Maximum Number of References Allowed: 3

Keywords

Jewish studies, Postdoctoral Fellowship