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Title Postdoctoral Fellow, Human Flourishing Program, IQSS

School Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS)

Position Description

The Human Flourishing Program ( HFH ) at Harvard (https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/) University’s Institute for Quantitative Social Science is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position to support research focused on three main topics: 1) Volunteering/pro-social behavior; 2) Spiritual well-being; and 3) Flourishing. This position will lead efforts to collect and analyze research related to the Flourishing Churches Initiative including engagement with communities regarding research findings.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will work closely with Professor Tyler VanderWeele and HFH Research Associate Kate Long to develop and pilot a measure of community well-being for use in churches. During the post-doc’s time at HFH , the hope is that the post-doc will publish several academic papers directly related to our core research areas. This is critical for HFH’s work on the Global Flourishing Study and the Flourishing Churches Initiative, among other areas of research. The post-doc’s time will be spent primarily on analyzing longitudinal data and leading or co-leading academic papers. In addition, the post-doc will also help shape “public facing” content that presents key findings from our work in language that is more accessible to the general public/specific audiences. We anticipate that the post-doc will represent the HFH program at numerous academic conferences. The post-doc will also play a mentoring role with graduate students and other members of the HFH team who want to grow in their analytic capacity.

Candidates must have research interests in areas such as well-being, human flourishing, and religious institutions, and a PhD in areas such as psychology, sociology, theology, philosophy, the empirical social or biomedical sciences, or a related field. Preference will be given to candidates with research interests related to the topics mentioned above.

About this position:

+ The position is fully funded for 1 year, with the possibility of extension, contingent on funding, performance, and the Program’s needs.

+ This position is funded by the John and Daria Barry Foundation.

+ Eligible for employee benefits, including subsidized health insurance

+ Shared office space and borrowing privileges at Harvard libraries provided

+ The Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to have substantial in-person work in the Program’s offices

+ The Postdoctoral Fellow will be expected to carry out an independent research program on topics related to human well-being. The Fellow will also contribute to the Program’s interdisciplinary work under the supervision of the Program’s Faculty Director Tyler VanderWeele and Research Associate Kate Long.

+ The Human Flourishing Program at Harvard’s Institute for Quantitative Social Science ( IQSS ) seeks to carry out research and teaching to bridge the empirical social sciences with the humanities on topics related to human flourishing. The Postdoctoral Fellow would join an interdisciplinary group of researchers across the fields of psychology, sociology, public health, epidemiology, statistics, philosophy, theology, and history. More information on the Human Flourishing Program can be found at the Program website: https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/

+ Ideally, the Postdoctoral Fellow will start this position in January or February 2026.

To ensure full consideration, complete applications must be received by Sunday, November 30, 2025.

IQSS sits in the Division of Social Science. At IQSS , respect and fairness, kindness and collegiality, and trust and transparency are among the values we espouse and promote in our workplace culture. We work hard to ensure a healthy, inclusive, and positive environment where everyone does their best work in support of Harvard’s mission.

Basic Qualifications

PhD in areas such as psychology, sociology, theology, philosophy, the empirical social or biomedical sciences, or other related fields.

PLEASE NOTE : If you have obtained your Ph.D. in the past 12 months you must be able to provide a certificate of completion from the degree-granting institution OR a letter from the institute’s registrar stating all requirements for the degree have been successfully completed and should verify the date the degree has been or will be conferred. No exceptions.

Additional Qualifications

+ Candidates must have research interests in areas such as well-being, human flourishing, and religious institutions.

+ Preference will be given to candidates with research interests and experience related to the topics mentioned above.

Special Instructions

Applicants should provide the following:

+ Curriculum Vitae

+ Cover letter

+ Research statement

+ Two to three letters of recommendation from experts at the ladder faculty ranks that can attest to your research qualifications. We prefer you include the letters in your Aries application (upload as one document/ PDF ). If you do not have direct access to your recommendation letters, please provide contact information for your references and we will solicit the letters as needed.

Contact Information

Lisa Galvin

IQSS Academic Affairs Coordinator

Contact Email [email protected]

Salary Range

$70,000

Minimum Number of References Required 2

Maximum Number of References Allowed

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.

Supplemental Questions