CRISES Postdoc

School: Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area: Center for Race, Inequality and Social Equity Studies (CRISES)

Position Description

The core mission of the Center for Race, Inequality and Social Equity Studies (CRISES) is the scholarly analysis of contemporary ethno-racial inequality, especially as articulated with class-based and gendered social conditions, through rigorous methodologies, theory-driven insights, and empirically grounded research. The social scientific research conducted by CRISES will inform the vision and attainment of a world without invidious social distinctions that are rooted in historical, institutional, and systemic ethno-racial, gender, and economic inequality. Through its research, collaborations across FAS and Harvard, and convenings of scholars, activists and students, CRISES envisions collective healing and a genuinely democratic society.

We are accepting applications for a one-year postdoctoral position (start date between June 1 and September 1, 2026) to study contemporary ethno-racial inequality, diversity, and democracy in America. The Postdoc will spend approximately 50% of their time working with an established research team on core CRISES projects. The primary project at CRISES involves designing, implementing, and analyzing nationally representative surveys that assess attitudinal and behavioral support for achieving a genuine democracy for all ethno-racial identities and backgrounds in the U.S.

The remaining 50% of the Postdoc's time will be spent on their own research, which should align with the Center's overall mission.

Postdocs are generally expected to be in residence at Harvard for the duration of their appointments, since regular interactions with the CRISES team and affiliated faculty will be critical for engagement and mentorship.

The position may be renewable for a second year, depending upon funding availability and satisfactory performance.

Selection Criteria
The Postdoc will be selected based on their expertise with advanced survey methods and analysis in the social sciences as well as their potential to make important contributions to scholarship on topics related to ethno-racial transformation and inequality; racialized identity, attitudes, and ideologies; advancement of inclusionary civil rights; changing work and economic opportunities; and/or the intersectional dynamics of ethnicity, race, class, and gender. Ideal candidates will have received (or be in the final stage of obtaining) a PhD in sociology, social psychology, economics, demography, political science, public health, gender studies, ethnic studies, or a related area in the social sciences.

Experience with advanced quantitative survey development, data collection and management, and multivariate statistical analysis is required. Qualitative experience is desired but not required.

Salary and Benefits
The position pays an annual salary of $87,500. The postdoc will be eligible for Harvard's subsidized, comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and other benefits. (Most of the benefit plans require a contribution from participants for coverage.) The postdoc will also receive a research and travel allowance up to $5000 annually, and office space within the Center.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must have received a doctorate or terminal degree no earlier than 2019 ; applicants without a doctorate or terminal degree must demonstrate that they will receive such a degree no later than September 2026 .

If you have not completed your graduate program, please still make sure to include your doctorate and anticipated degree date in the Educational Background section.

Special Instructions

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Application review will begin immediately (~April 10) and will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The application must include the following in order to be reviewed:

1. A curriculum vitae
2. A 2- to 4-page (<1500 words) research statement that describes your background, research interests, and qualifications for survey research, and that includes a proposal for the independent project on which you will spend 50% of your time.
3. One chapter- or article-length writing sample , no more than 25 pages. The writing sample may be an excerpt from a longer work, and may be published or unpublished, but should relate to your proposed topic and be clearly identified (i.e., if it's an excerpt, please note the source and list any co-authors).
4. The names and email addresses of 2 referees , who will be asked via a system-generated email to upload their letters of recommendation once the application has been submitted. Two letters of recommendation are required, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Please make sure you have supplied current and accurate email addresses for your referees, and please monitor your application to make sure the letters have been submitted. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we do not have time to track down missing letters.

You may use Interfolio. Interfolio provides you with a unique email address for each letter of recommendation. You need to obtain that address from Interfolio and enter it in the section of your application that requests your reference provider's email address. (Once again, please double-check this email address for accuracy .) Complete instructions are available at the Interfolio Help Center .

Contact Information

Meenakshi Verma-Agrawal, Director of Administration and Operations
Center for Race, Inequality, and Social Equity Studies
William James Hall
Harvard University
Cambridge MA 02138

Contact Email: [email protected]

Salary Range

$87,500

Minimum Number of References Required: 2

Maximum Number of References Allowed: 2

Keywords

race, ethnicity, gender, inequality, social equity, democracy in America, survey research