Postdoctoral Fellow, Human Flourishing Program, IQSS

Department / Area

Institute for Quantitative Social Science Position Description University’s Institute for Quantitative Social Science is seeking applications for one or more Postdoctoral Fellow positions.

Candidates should have an interest in well-being research and a PhD in either philosophy, theology / religious studies, or in the empirical social or biomedical sciences.

About this position :

• The position is fully funded for 2 years, with possible extension for a third year. However, please note these academic appointments are made annually, with re-appointment up to 12 months at a time, conditional on performance and the program’s needs.
• Eligible for employee benefits, including subsidized health insurance
• Shared office space and borrowing privileges at Harvard libraries provided
• The Postdoctoral Fellow must work from the Program’s offices a minimum of three days per week.
• 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 Director Tyler VanderWeele.

The Human Flourishing Program at Harvard’s Institute for Quantitative Social Science 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 :

To ensure full consideration, complete applications must be received by November 30, 2024.

The Institute for Quantitative Social Science sits in the Division of Social Science, which is strongly committed to creating and supporting a diverse workforce.

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 either philosophy, theology / religious studies, the empirical social or biomedical sciences, or a related field.

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.

The Postdoctoral Fellow role requires a minimum of three days per week in the office. Additional Qualifications

• Interest in well-being research required
• Given the interdisciplinary nature of the program, preference will be given to candidates from the humanities who have familiarity with and / or coursework in the social sciences, and to candidates from the empirical sciences who have familiarity with and / or coursework in philosophy or theology.
• Special consideration will be given to candidates with background in any of psychometric measurement theory, cross-cultural study of well-being, virtue ethics, experimental philosophy, analytic philosophy or theology, Thomistic philosophy or theology, philosophy or theology of economics, or the philosophy or theology of social science, but the search is not restricted to these areas.
30+ days ago