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Title Visiting Scholar or Fellow (Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies)

School Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies

Position Description

The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies’ Visiting Scholar Program offers comprehensive research, training and professional development opportunities for both junior and senior scholars whose research relates to Russia and/or Eurasia.

Visiting Scholars and Fellows pursue their research with support from an interdisciplinary community of experts and with access to world-class resources. The program provides scholars with experiences and connections that endure well beyond the fellowship year.

Both junior and senior scholars are encouraged to apply. Citizens of all countries are eligible.

Research proposals on topics related to the following regions are welcome: the Baltics, Eastern Europe, Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Russia.

About this position:

• This position is unpaid. Applicants are required to secure external funding independently. This can include receiving funding through home institutions or through external grant sources.

• This position is not eligible for Harvard employee benefits. Applicants are required to secure health insurance independently.

• Citizens of all countries may apply; international scholars may be provided with visa support from the Harvard International Office.

• All Visiting Scholars, Postdocs, and Fellows receive borrowing privileges at Harvard libraries, and, in some cases, may receive shared office space at the Davis Center.

• Special invitations to visitors-only events and other closed event opportunities.

• Opportunity to audit Harvard courses (auditing is at the discretion of the course instructor).

• Opportunity to present research in the New Research Workshop and receive feedback from colleagues and faculty on works-in-progress.

• Opportunity to participate in Davis Center programming including seminars, conferences, and other academic activities.

Basic Qualifications

Research proposals must focus on topics related to Russia and/or Eurasia. The Davis Center defines “Eurasia” as consisting of the following regions: the Baltics, Eastern Europe, Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

Applicants must be able to commit to a fellowship of no less than three months and no more than twelve months. Fellowships correspond with Harvard’s academic calendar, either for the fall semester (September 1-December 31), spring semester (January 1-May 31), or for one full year (September 1 – August 31). Fellowships for less than three months or more than twelve months will not be considered.

Citizens of all countries may apply.

The Davis Center offers three programs that allow external scholars to spend time on Harvard’s campus conducting research and writing.

Visiting Scholars: applicants must be tenured or tenure-track faculty with a current appointment at a university or research institute. This position requires a Ph.D. at the time of the application.

Fellows: applicants must be professionals with specialized and extensive knowledge of the region or exceptional Ph.D. candidates in the final stages of their candidacy. This position is not appropriate for individuals who have completed their Ph.D. or who are in the early stages of their Ph.D..

Postdoctoral Fellows: scholars must use external funds to support their post-doctoral opportunity at the Davis Center. Outside funding must meet the appropriate NIH step (https://www.niaid.nih.gov/grants-contracts/salary-cap-stipends) for their experience level. Personal funds must not be used, in full or in part, to meet this requirement. Separately, the Davis Center offers two fully-funded postdoctoral fellowships annually (https://daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/academic-programs/postgraduate-opportunities/postdoctoral-fellowships) – one in history and one in Slavic languages and literatures.

Additional Qualifications

Members of the Davis Center’s Visiting Scholars Program must:

+ Participate in the New Research Workshop. Attendance and active participation each week is mandatory;

+ Prioritize their Davis Center research and be free of other academic commitments;

+ Actively engage in Davis Center academic activities, lectures, seminars, and workshops;

+ Be on campus for the entire duration of the dates of their Harvard appointments, as well as their Harvard-sponsored J-1 scholar visa for foreign nationals.

Visiting Scholars may also be asked to:

+ Provide input on Harvard graduate and undergraduate student thesis work;

+ Write a report at the end of their fellowship summarizing their activities.

Special Instructions

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on January 15, 2026. Reference letters are due one week later on January 22, 2026. Final decisions will be announced by mid-March 2026. Acceptance is not final until approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Governing Boards of Harvard University.

Contact Information

Kate Flaherty, Research Programs Coordinator

Contact Email [email protected]

Salary Range

This position is unpaid.

Minimum Number of References Required 2

Maximum Number of References Allowed 3

Keywords

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity (https://hr.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum6281/files/2025-04/reaffirmation\_statement.pdf) policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy (https://provost.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum3356/files/2025-07/non-discrimination\_and\_anti-bullying\_policies.pdf) . Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

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