Rice University is pleased to invite applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Democracy and Pluralism. The fellowship is open to scholars of exceptional potential who have earned the PhD within the last five years and whose research expertise encompasses one or more of the following broad areas: democracy and civic engagement; religious freedom and pluralism; histories of American constitutional democracy; histories of movements for the expansion of civil rights; the history of political thought; and philosophies of human flourishing and its relation to civil society.
This residential fellowship is for one year. In addition to focusing on the completion of a research project, the fellow will 1) team-teach an undergraduate course with a Rice faculty member on a topic related to their expertise; 2) with the support of personnel in the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence, propose and implement two events for the campus community that center on fostering constructive dialogue across both ideological and intellectual divides, including one event in collaboration with the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
The anticipated start date is September 1st, 2026. Recent PhD graduates without current university affiliations would be appointed to a Postdoctoral position. Applicants with a current university affiliation, intending to take a leave of absence from their position, would be appointed as a Research Fellow.
The Postdoctoral Fellowship in Democracy and Pluralism program offers:
- a Research Fellow or postdoctoral position
- a mentored relationship with one or more Rice University faculty members committed to helping to advance the fellow’s research project to completion
- structured collaborative relationships with the community of professionals and scholars in the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence committed to assisting fellows in developing their university leadership capacity
- membership in the Rice University Academy of Fellows (for postdoctoral positions as applicable)
- The standard program stipend is $75,000 with benefits. National standard stipends for postdoctoral appointments in a few research areas are above that level. Postdoctoral scholars appointed in such areas may receive augmentation from their department. Fellows on leave from their universities may bring additional fellowship or university support to meet their ordinary yearly salary.
The application deadline is 11:59pm on Monday, July 6th 2026, applications will not be accepted after the deadline has passed
https://jobs.chronicle.com/job/38001839/postdoctoral-fellow-in-democracy-and-pluralism