Research Associate in History (Princeton University )

The Princeton University Shelby Cullom Davis Center for Historical Studies is pleased to announce openings for a year-long residential Postdoctoral Research Associate (or more senior research position), with the expectation of renewal for a second year, contingent upon satisfactory performance and continued funding. Those hired at more senior ranks may have multi-year appointments. Research Theme (2026–2028) During the academic years 2026–2027 and 2027–2028, the Davis Center will focus on: “Property and Poverty” The Center invites recent Ph.D.’s to apply for a postdoctoral position related to this theme. Applications are welcome from scholars researching: The history of property and dispossession Wealth and poverty Practices of owning and disowning things, people, bodies, and ideas Research Areas of Interest Scholars working in the following areas are encouraged to apply: Intellectual, legal, religious, cultural, and economic histories of property and poverty Social histories of impoverishment, poor relief, and dispossession Intellectual property and copyright history History of the commons Lived experience of poverty Forms of individual and collective ownership and resistance Administrative and informational technologies of property Religious and moral aspects of poverty and ownership Environmental, economic, intellectual history History of art, gender, race, and sexuality Time period and geography: No restrictions (antiquity to modern period; global scope welcome) Appointment Details Full-time residential postdoctoral research position Expected initial term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 Expected renewal: second year (subject to performance and funding) Senior appointments may have multi-year terms Appointed through the Department of History Work location: in-person, on campus at Princeton University No teaching or administrative duties (postdoctoral level) Selected senior appointees may be asked to teach, subject to approval and enrollment conditions. Responsibilities Full-time research on proposed historical project Participation in weekly Davis Center activities alongside faculty-level fellows Compensation and Benefits Competitive salary University benefits Annual research fund: $5,000 Application Requirements Applicants must apply online: Princeton Academic Hiring Portal Required materials: Letter of application Curriculum vitae (CV) Writing sample (max 10,000 words) Contact information for three referees Additional requirement (if Ph.D. not yet completed): Letter from dissertation advisor confirming expected completion before start date Deadlines Application deadline: April 1, 2026 (11:59 pm EST) Reference letters due: April 8, 2026 Additional Information Participation in weekly Davis Center activities is required Appointment is subject to Princeton University background check policy Work is fully in-person on campus More information about the center: Davis Center for Historical Studies If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

The Princeton University Shelby Cullom Davis Center for Historical Studies is pleased to announce openings for a year-long residential Postdoctoral Research Associate (or more senior research position), with the expectation of renewal for a second year, contingent upon satisfactory performance and continued funding. Those hired at more senior ranks may have multi-year appointments.

Research Theme (2026–2028)

During the academic years 2026–2027 and 2027–2028, the Davis Center will focus on:

“Property and Poverty”

The Center invites recent Ph.D.’s to apply for a postdoctoral position related to this theme.

Applications are welcome from scholars researching:

The history of property and dispossession
Wealth and poverty
Practices of owning and disowning things, people, bodies, and ideas

Research Areas of Interest

Scholars working in the following areas are encouraged to apply:

Intellectual, legal, religious, cultural, and economic histories of property and poverty
Social histories of impoverishment, poor relief, and dispossession
Intellectual property and copyright history
History of the commons
Lived experience of poverty
Forms of individual and collective ownership and resistance
Administrative and informational technologies of property
Religious and moral aspects of poverty and ownership
Environmental, economic, intellectual history
History of art, gender, race, and sexuality