Reischauer Institute Postdoctoral Fellowships In Japanese Studies

2026-27 REISCHAUER INSTITUTE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN JAPANESE STUDIES

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Please note:

The applicant and recommender deadlines were separated due to the nature of the ARIeS online system. Only after the application is submitted will the recommender be notified of the recommendation letter request. Applicants, to ensure a smooth process, please communicate with your recommenders in advance of the first deadline on December 19
.

Details

Title

Title 2026-27 REISCHAUER INSTITUTE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN JAPANESE STUDIES

School

School Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area

Position Description

2026-27 REISCHAUER INSTITUTE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN JAPANESE STUDIES

Applicant Deadline:
Friday, December 19, 2025, 5:00PM EST
Recommender Deadline:
Friday, January 9, 2026, 5:00PM EST

The Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies (RIJS) at Harvard University will offer several Postdoctoral Fellowships in Japanese Studies to recent Ph.D. graduates of exceptional promise, to provide the opportunity for postdoctoral fellows to turn their dissertations into publishable manuscripts and to continue their research in Japanese studies.

APPOINTMENT TERM : Year-long appointments, commencing August or September 2026.

FELLOWSHIP GRANT :

• Stipend of $70,000 and research funds up to $5,000. This appointment is eligible for subsidized medical, dental, vision, and other benefits through Harvard University.
• Postdoctoral fellows will be provided office space, as well as access to the libraries and resources of Harvard University.

RESPONSIBILITIES : Postdoctoral fellows are expected to reside in the general, greater Boston/Cambridge area in order to fully participate in RIJS activities and events during the appointment term. Postdoctoral fellows will also be expected to give a presentation at the RIJS Japan Forum lecture series.

Applicants must have received their Ph.D. in 2021 or later, in Japanese studies, in any area of the humanities or social sciences. Those who are selected to receive fellowships must have a Registrar-certified Ph.D. degree by June 30, 2026. Please note that the fellowship is contingent upon degree documentation and is subject to rescission if the deadline is not met.

RIJS especially encourages applications from those who have not previously held postdoctoral appointments at Harvard.

Please note required materials:

• Statement of Research (2 pages): What research do you plan to pursue during the fellowship term? What do you plan to do at each stage, and what particular resources do you intend to use? What are the advantages of spending a postdoctoral fellowship year at Harvard; are there specific individuals or resources you hope to seek out while in residence?
• Curriculum Vitae: Please include your current and permanent addresses, telephone number(s), email address; academic degrees with dates of conferral, discipline and institution; current employer; and a list of publications.
• Transcript: Please submit an official electronic transcript or OPEN your official paper transcript to scan 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.
• Dissertation Table of Contents
• Dissertation Chapter: We will also accept a published article submitted in lieu of the dissertation chapter as a writing sample.

Phone:

The stipend for this fellowship is $70,000 for a 12‑month appointment.

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