Mellon Postdoctoral Research Associate History of Computational Technology

Position Description

Position

Description:

The Department of History and the Cogut Institute for the Humanities at Brown University invite applications for a two-year appointment as Mellon Postdoctoral Research Associate in the History of Computational Technology. The position is to be held jointly at the Cogut Institute for the Humanities and the Department of History, with additional affiliation with the Program in Science, Technology, and Society.

We seek a scholar whose work addresses the historical significance, impact, and/or trajectory of the “information age,” cybernetics, computing, digital technology, artificial intelligence, and/or the emergence of data-driven methods in the sciences and beyond.

Applicants in any discipline of the humanities (history, philosophy, literature, language, and the arts) or deploying humanistic methods in Science and Technology Studies, Media Studies, or related fields are encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will teach one course per semester (which will be listed by History and may be cross‑listed with the Cogut Institute, the Data Science Institute, and/or the Program in Science, Technology and Society) and will interact with Brown’s world‑renowned faculty and students both within and beyond its expanding History community in a supportive environment focused on community and career development.

The postdoctoral research associate will be expected to participate in the Cogut Institute’s weekly research seminar each Tuesday as well as other activities as appropriate to their research.

Postdoctoral research associates receive standard benefits and a $2,000 per year reimbursable research fund. For this position, Brown offers only the J‑1 visa classification to scholars who need immigration sponsorship in order to enter the U.S. and commence lawful employment under the terms of their appointment.

The appointment will begin on July 1, 2026. Receipt of the Ph.D. or completion of all degree requirements is required by July 1, 2026. Recipients of a Ph.D. from Brown University are ineligible as are any applicants whose Ph.D. was earned prior to the last five years.

Please submit a CV, a cover letter that details relevant qualifications and addresses how the candidate would contribute to the research and/or teaching missions of our diverse and inclusive university community, and three confidential letters of recommendation online at

Review of applications will begin on January 30, 2026.