Voss Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environment and Society

The Institute at Brown for Environment and Society (IBES) seeks candidates for one or more distinguished postdoctoral research associates. Voss Postdoctoral Research Associates conduct independent research with mentorship by one or more IBES faculty with expertise in a wide range of disciplines. Appointments have an expected term of two years starting in July 2026 or soon thereafter. Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate an ability to communicate across disciplinary boundaries and advance new scholarship beyond the applicant’s dissertation or prior postdoctoral research experience.

Voss Postdoctoral Research Associates receive a salary of $68,000, plus benefits and a discretionary research fund of up to $4,000. Selected candidates are expected to devote time to original research activities described in the application to the Voss postdoctoral program. In special cases, successful applicants may have the opportunity to teach undergraduate courses. A $3,000 salary supplement will be provided to successful candidates during the first year of the fellowship to offset relocation expenses.

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.

Qualifications for the position include a PhD at the time the position commences (conferral between 7/1/2024 and 7/1/2027), an ability to work independently, an interest in contributing to a dialogue across disciplinary boundaries, and an interest in exploring diverse avenues for research activities and impacts beyond academia, as described in the IBES strategic plan.

The application process consists of a two-step procedure. Step one proposals are limited to 4,000 characters and must be received by September 1, 2026 at 5 PM EDT. The step‑one proposal must identify one or more faculty mentors from the list of eligible IBES faculty, and must succinctly summarize the background, objectives, and expected significance of the proposed research so that faculty mentors can judge the merits and strengths of the proposal.

All step‑one proposals will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified by September 28, 2026 whether the proposal was selected to proceed to Step Two. Step‑two proposals must be received by October 12, 2026 at 5 PM EDT. Shortlisted candidates must be available for online interviews during the week of October 19, 2026.

Step‑one proposals are due by September 1, 2026 at 5 PM EDT through Interfolio. The step‑one proposal must include:

• A current version of the candidate’s CV;
• One or more faculty mentors identified from the list of eligible IBES faculty;
• A succinct summary of the background, objectives, and expected significance of the proposed research in no more than 4,000 characters, including references and spaces.

Applicants may contact prospective faculty mentors at any time during the application process. The selection committee will review step‑one proposals and inform each candidate whether the proposal has been selected to proceed to step‑two no later than September 28, 2026.

Step‑two proposals are due by October 12, 2026 at 5 PM EDT through Interfolio and must include:

• A current version of the candidate’s CV;
• A statement describing how this position relates to the candidate’s career goals (500 word limit);
• A statement describing how the proposed research will contribute to the goals and objectives expressed in the IBES strategic plan (500 word limit);
• A research proposal that describes the background, objectives, expected significance, and work‑plan of the proposed research (1,500 word limit);
• Three confidential letters of recommendation from advisors or colleagues. Referees will submit letters directly through Interfolio, which will supply a direct link when contact information is entered.

The research proposal should include a timeline and project outcomes plan that clearly links the proposed research with the candidate’s career goals (e.g., a plan for book publication, proposal development, submission of peer‑reviewed academic journal articles, published…