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Title 2026-27 Hou Family Postdoctoral Fellowship in Taiwan Studies

School Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies

Position Description

The Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University is pleased to announce the 2026-2027 competition for the Hou Family Fellowship in Taiwan Studies.

The Hou Family Fellowship in Taiwan Studies sponsors one post-doctoral fellow who recently graduated or is currently teaching to pursue Taiwan-focused research in the humanities and social sciences for six to twelve months during academic year 2026-2027. Residence at the Fairbank Center for the full academic year is encouraged.

The Hou Family Postdoctoral Fellow will have the opportunity to engage with the Fairbank Center’s interdisciplinary community of scholars and will have access to Harvard’s world-class libraries and other resources. In addition to maintaining their own research agenda, the Hou Family Postdoctoral Fellow will contribute to the Fairbank Center community in ways that could include the following:

+ Presenting research to the Center’s Taiwan Studies workshops, or to other Fairbank Center events and audiences,

+ Participating in professional development workshops and serving as a mentor for current graduate students,

+ Attending seminars and academic events and participating in community building activities.

The Hou Family Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to be in resident at the Fairbank Center for six months (minimum) to twelve months (maximum) between August 1, 2026 and July 31, 2027.

Total Hou Family Postdoctoral Fellowship stipend: $67,600 for one year. The Postdoctoral Fellow position is eligible for Harvard University’s subsidized comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and other benefits. In addition, up to $3,000 in research funds available upon approval of a submitted request.

The Fellowship will be subject to all rules and regulations of Harvard University.

Basic Qualifications

A strong working knowledge of English and Chinese or Taiwanese is required.

A doctoral degree in a relevant field is required. The doctoral diploma or Registrar’s certificate of degree completion will be required by one month prior to the start of the fellowship (before July 1, 2026).

Fellows are expected to reside in the Greater Boston area for the duration of the fellowship.

Additional Qualifications

Applications are invited from junior scholars in a relevant discipline of the humanities or social sciences whose research focuses on Taiwan.

Applicants may not be more than five years beyond the receipt of their PhD degree at the start of the fellowship. Priority will be given to applicants with no previous postdoctoral fellowships.

Harvard University doctoral degree recipients are not eligible for this fellowship.

Candidates must provide confirmation of successful completion of their terminal doctoral degree, in the form of a diploma, certificate of completion from the degree-granting institution or a letter from the institution’s Registrar, by July 1, 2026, at the latest.

Applicants must notify the Fairbank Center of any changes to the information provided in their application that may impact their eligibility. Failure to communicate such changes may result in disqualification.

Special Instructions

To apply, you are required to submit the online application form and

+ Curriculum Vitae

+ Cover letter

+ Research proposal and plan for the fellowship period (no more than five pages, double-spaced)

+ Writing sample (academic paper or dissertation chapter)

+ Doctoral diploma, if available

In addition, two to three letters of recommendation must be submitted directly by your references. When you submit your application, each of your references will receive an email from the application portal system with a link to upload their letter.

If you have not yet received your doctoral degree at the time of application, one of the letters must be from your PhD dissertation advisor.

In your application cover letter you may indicate if there are specific Harvard faculty members with whom you would like to work during the fellowship year. Please do not contact faculty directly at this stage.

All application materials must be in English.

Contact Information

Harriet Wong

Program Administrator

Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies

Contact Email [email protected]

Salary Range

$67,600-$69,000

Minimum Number of References Required 2

Maximum Number of References Allowed 3

Keywords

Postdoctoral fellowship in East Asian studies. Postdoctoral fellowship in East Asian studies. East Asia social sciences postdoc. East Asia humanities postdoc. Taiwan studies. Taiwan research. China and Taiwan studies. Taiwan social sciences. Taiwan humanities. History of Taiwan. Taiwan politics. Taiwanese culture. Republic of China. Greater China. Taiwan straits. Taiwan economy. Taiwan security.

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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