The Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University aspires to promote a just and peaceful world through research, teaching, and public engagement.  Central to this mission is the Watson Postdoctoral Fellows Program, an effort to galvanize the careers of young social scientists conducting research related to the Institute’s three core thematic areas: development, governance/public policy, and security.  Participants in this program will join an interdisciplinary community of scholars engaged in theoretically and substantively important research addressing the most pressing global issues of our time. Fellows receive two years of support, with the expectation that they will pursue research and participate fully in the intellectual life of the Institute. Fellows will also teach one course per year in the undergraduate international and public affairs program. Watson Institute is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the academic community.

Applying to the Program

The application for the Watson Institute Postdoctoral Fellows Program 2025-2027 will be open from early September to October 19, 2024.

Full application details, and the application itself will be posted on Interfolio.

The fellowship competition is open to candidates from the social sciences, including anthropology, economics, history, political science, and sociology. The selection process, open with regard to nationality and geographic area of research, is highly competitive and typically 6 fellowships are awarded in a given year. Scholars who have received their PhDs within two years of the application deadline are eligible to apply.  Individuals who are currently – or have previously been – postdoctoral fellows in other programs are not eligible to apply.  Fellows will receive an annual stipend of $75,000, for this benefits-eligible position.  Additional funding will be made available for research expenses and research-related programming on campus.  Candidates selected for the Postdoctoral Fellows program must have defended their dissertation  by July 1, 2025. To receive full consideration, the following materials should be submitted by October 19, 2024 to the application portal.

• A cover letter stating the applicant's academic field, status of their dissertation, and proposed research to be conducted during their fellowship period. The cover letter should not exceed 2,000 words and should make clear where in the Institute's core areas of security, development, or governance the proposed research best fits. Please also include a statement about teaching in a diverse and inclusive classroom.
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• A copy of each graduate transcript. 
• A writing sample, preferably of publish ready quality.
• A proposed syllabus for an upper level undergraduate course in the area of international and public affairs.   
• Three letters of recommendation from scholars familiar with the applicant’s research. 

Review of applications will begin on October 19; to receive full consideration applications should be received by that date.  Awards will be announced by January 31,  2025.

For further information regarding the Watson Institute Postdoctoral Fellows Program, please contact:

• Professor Rose McDermott, Faculty Director of the Watson Postdoctoral Fellows Program, rose_mcdermott@brown.edu.  
• For information about the application process, please email:  Watson_Applications@brown.edu or contact Interfolio at help@interfolio.com
• Program Manager: Hayden Reiss; hayden@brown.edu.