Postdoctoral Scholar - Social Sciences

The Center for Expanding Viewpoints in Higher Education (CEVIHE) at Tufts University seeks to host a Postdoctoral Fellow whose research and teaching explore an emerging or underexamined area of the social sciences that engages consequential and contentious political, cultural, or moral questions. We invite applications from scholars whose work sheds light on difficult or contested issues in public life and advances understanding of how societies navigate disagreement about values, institutions, and public policy.

About the role

Tufts University, founded in 1852, prioritizes quality teaching, highly competitive basic and applied research, and a commitment to active citizenship locally, regionally, and globally. Tufts also prides itself on creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Current and prospective employees are expected to have and continuously develop skills in positively engaging with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students.

The Postdoctoral Fellowship in Social Sciences is supported by CEVIHE, which seeks to cultivate early-career scholars whose teaching and research broaden the range of ideas represented in their disciplines and strengthen Tufts’ culture of open inquiry. The Center is committed to renewing the university’s intellectual mission by fostering a culture of engagement across ideological, religious, and cultural differences.

The fellow will maintain their office at CEVIHE, where they will be part of a cohort of postdoctoral fellows representing various departments and programs. The fellow will be mentored by two faculty members affiliated with CEVIHE to support research, teaching, and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and teach two courses in the fellow’s area of expertise, which may include seminars designed to introduce students to recent research, empirical approaches, and major debates surrounding contested political and social questions. Courses may be co-listed in other relevant departments.
• Develop an independent research program while gaining teaching experience in a supportive academic environment.
• Participate in CEVIHE seminars, workshops, and related intellectual programming.
• Work in person at least four days a week and contribute to the CEVIHE community through attendance at a weekly lunch series, informal mentorship of undergraduates, and participation in occasional Center events.

Requirements

• Hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., political science, sociology, economics, psychology, communications, or related social science fields) by the start of the appointment.
• Demonstrated research and teaching interests in the social sciences, particularly in how societies, institutions, or communities navigate disagreement over contested public questions.
• Analytical rigor and methodological clarity, with the capacity to teach courses that engage students in evaluating competing empirical and normative claims on consequential policy or social issues.
• Interdisciplinary approaches and a willingness to contribute to CEVIHE’s broader programming on pluralism and open inquiry are especially welcome.

Benefits

• Mentorship by two faculty members affiliated with CEVIHE to support research, teaching, and professional development.
• Opportunity to be part of a cohort of postdoctoral fellows representing various departments and programs.

Pay

The hiring range for this position is $65,000–$75,000, commensurate with experience. Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

Schedule

• This is a 35-hour-per-week, one-year term-limited position commencing July 1, 2026.
• Possibility for extension pending performance and availability of funds.
• Specific schedule to be determined with the principal investigator.
• Fellows are expected to work in person at least four days a week.

Review of applications will begin May 4, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. All offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a background check.