2026-27 Mahindra Humanities Center Postdoctoral Fellow - Military veterans preferred

Harvard University


Title: 2026-27 Mahindra Humanities Center Postdoctoral Fellow

School: Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department_Area: Mahindra Humanities Center

Position Description: The Mahindra Humanities Center invites applications for several one-year postdoctoral fellowships in the environmental humanities, drawn from any humanistic discipline. We interpret the environmental humanities in the broadest terms, to include all parts of the world and historical eras. Topics may include (but are not limited to) humanistic approaches to climate change, biodiversity, social justice, environmental justice, food justice, regenerative practices, gardening, landscape, urban foraging, health, and animal studies.

We welcome applications from scholars in all fields whose work innovatively engages with the environment and the humanities. In addition to pursuing their own research projects, fellows will be core participants in the bi-weekly seminar meetings for both academic semesters of the fellowship. Other participants will include faculty and graduate students from Harvard and other universities in the region, and occasional visiting speakers. Fellows will also be encouraged to engage with the Center's Environment Forum programming.

Fellows will receive stipends of $70,000, medical insurance, additional research support of $2,500, and (for those not already in residence in Greater Boston) $1,500 in moving expenses. Fellows are expected to be in residence at Harvard for the term of the fellowship.

Basic Qualifications: Applicants for 2026-27 fellowships must have received a doctorate on or after May 2023. Applicants without a doctorate must demonstrate that they have completed all requirements for the degree, including dissertation defense, by August 1, 2026. Scholars from outside the United States are appointed under either the J-1 visa (Research Scholar status) or F-1 OPT (Optional Practical Training), depending on their circumstances. If awarded a fellowship, the term of appointment for international scholars is September 1, 2026-August 31, 2027. The Mahindra Center reserves the right to cancel awards if the recipient is unable to meet these conditions of completion and visa status.

The application deadline for applicants to submit their materials is November 21, 2025. The deadline for receipt of letters of recommendation is December 5, 2025.


Special Instructions: In addition to biographical and professional information, applicants are asked to submit:

1. A curriculum vitae.
2. A statement of the research project (1,000-3,000 words) that provides a detailed description of what the applicant proposes to do during the fellowship year.
3. One chapter- or article-length writing sample (no longer than 40 pages).
4. Names and contact information of three referees, who will be asked by a system-generated email to upload a letter of recommendation once the candidate's application has been submitted. Three letters of recommendation are required, and the application is considered complete only when three letters have been received. Recommendations may be those included in the applicant's placement dossier, but they must specifically address the proposed research project. Letters should be uploaded to the electronic application.

Please contact Lisa Brown, lisabrown@fas.harvard.edu, with any questions about applying for a fellowship.

Contact Information: Lisa Brown
Mahindra Humanities Center at Harvard
12 Quincy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

Contact Email: lisabrown@fas.harvard.edu

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

Minimum Number of References Required: 3

Maximum Number of References Allowed: 3


Supplemental Questions: Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Dissertation title or topic
   (Open Ended Question)
2. * In 1-2 sentences, please provide a description of the project you propose to undertake as a postdoctoral fellow at the Mahindra Center.
   (Open Ended Question)
3. * Please indicate your current institutional affiliation and position. In addition, please list any fellowships and research support that you have been granted during the past 5 years, including the source of support, amount, grant period, and purpose of the grant.
   (Open Ended Question)

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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