The Department of Classics and the Cogut Institute for the Humanities at Brown University invite applications for a 2-year appointment as International Humanities Postdoctoral Research Associate with a specialization in Premodern South Asia. This position, effective July 1, 2026, is to be held jointly at the Cogut Institute for the Humanities and the Department of Classics, with additional affiliation with the Center for Global Antiquity.

The appointee will teach one class per semester in the Sanskrit program within Classics; courses taught in English translation are welcome. Courses that would be suitable for cross-listing in Religious Studies are particularly encouraged, and cross-listing is also possible in a number of other Humanities departments. The postdoctoral research associate is expected to participate in the Cogut Institute’s weekly Tuesday seminars as well as other activities.

The postdoctoral research associate will receive standard benefits and a $2,000 per year reimbursable research fund. For this position, Brown offers only the J-1 visa classification to scholars who need immigration sponsorship in order to enter the U.S. and commence lawful employment under the terms of their appointment.

QUALIFICATIONS

The appointment will begin on July 1, 2026. Receipt of the Ph.D. or completion of all degree requirements is required by July 1, 2026. Recipients of a Ph.D. from Brown University are ineligible as are any applicants whose Ph.D. was earned prior to the last five years. We seek a scholar trained in any discipline working on the history, literature, religion, or culture of South Asia before 1500 CE. Candidates should engage in some way with the corpus of Sanskrit texts, alone or alongside other evidence. We encourage innovative approaches, comparative work, and researchers who situate their object of study within a global context.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, dissertation abstract, a writing sample, a sample syllabus for a course to be taught in English translation within the Sanskrit program, and a list of three recommenders. Applicants should state in their cover letter how they would contribute to the research and/or teaching missions of our diverse and inclusive university community. Finalists will be asked for three letters of recommendation.  Applications should be submitted online at apply.interfolio.com/177758. Review ofapplications will begin on January 23, 2026 and continue until the position is held.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.

The Department of Egyptology and Assyriology at Brown University seeks to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate and invites applications from early-career scholars who work in any of the areas covered by the department: Egyptology, Assyriology, and History of the Exact Sciences in Antiquity. The appointment will be for two years beginning on August 1, 2026.

Postdoctoral Research Associates are expected to pursue their own research and publications and are required to teach one course each semester, typically one at the undergraduate level and one graduate seminar. The department is particularly interested in new courses that contribute to fostering a diverse and inclusive curriculum and learning environment. Postdoctoral Research Associates are also expected to participate in the academic life of the department, for example, by coordinating its colloquium series and workshops, engaging intellectually with the department’s students and faculty, and actively participating in the department community.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should have received their doctorate from an institution other than Brown University within the last five years and must have the PhD (or equivalent) in hand by July 31, 2026.

Selected candidates who have not completed all requirements for their doctoral degree by the position start date will be appointed as a Research Associate at a reduced salary until all degree requirements are completed.

For this position, Brown offers only the J-1 visa classification to scholars who need immigration sponsorship in order to enter the U.S. and commence lawful employment under the terms of their appointment.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

All candidates should submit a (1) curriculum vitae (including publication list), (2) three confidential letters of reference, (3) a document containing short descriptions of three proposed courses (150–300 words each), and (4) a letter of application that details their research and teaching interests, explains how their work complements or supplements the research areas of the department’s faculty, and articulates how they would contribute to the research and/or teaching missions of our diverse and inclusive university community. For full consideration candidates must submit all materials via Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/177133 by January 5, 2026, after which time applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Chair, Search Committee
Department of Egyptology and Assyriology
Brown University
Box 1899 / 2 Prospect Street
Providence, RI  02912-1899
USA

EA@brown.edu

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.