Postdoctoral Writing Fellows - Social Sciences and Humanities at Harvard University – Cambridge, Massachusetts

For the academic year 2026–2027, the Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) at Harvard University seeks postdoctoral fellows in Social Sciences and Humanities to serve as Writing Specialists in Harvard Griffin GSAS’s Fellowships & Writing Center. Discipline-specific writing specialists will assist students with all genres of academic writing, including fellowship proposals.

FWC postdoctoral fellows will work as members of a team reporting to the Center’s executive director and working closely with the associate director and the Academic Programs team in Harvard Griffin GSAS. Responsibilities will include providing feedback and offering individual consultations to Harvard Griffin GSAS students on papers, theses, dissertations, fellowship proposals, presentations, talks, and other modes of communication. They also will design and lead workshops and events that will help Harvard Griffin GSAS students to communicate their research, as well as facilitate small writing groups focused on accountability and building a community for student writers. Fellows could be asked to contribute to the development of innovative programming or customized research support for current students, working with faculty and administrators in their area of expertise, as appropriate and where needed. Opportunities for professional development will also be available to the fellows.

Applicants must successfully defend their doctoral dissertations by May 2026 in order to be considered for the position.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Strong written and oral communications skills, and demonstrable success in writing, publishing, and presenting academic work. Experience in advising, teaching, and providing feedback. Experience writing effective fellowship proposals desirable. Expertise in English as a second language and working with non-native English speakers is desirable. Ability to build relationships with students and connect discipline-specific communication to graduate students’ academic and career goals. Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and administrators in delivering academic support programs. Excellent organizational skills and ability to plan and prioritize tasks and projects. Flexibility, openness to innovative pedagogy, and responsiveness to student needs. Strong service-oriented individual. Preference is given to graduates of Harvard University.

The appointment is for one year (beginning on September 1, 2026), with the possibility for renewal. To be considered for the position, please send: (i) a cover letter describing your qualifications, reasons for your interest in the position, and long-term goals, (ii) a curriculum vitae, (iii) names and contact information for three individuals who will serve as references (the deadline for reference letters is May 5, 2026—please alert your letter writers with enough time to meet this deadline), and (iv) a writing sample of 25 pages or less.

Jeannette Miller, Executive Director of the Fellowships & Writing Center

$67,600-$69,628