Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

The Clayman Institute offers a two-year postdoctoral fellowship. Recent  PhDs in the humanities or social sciences whose research focuses on gender with an intersectional perspective are eligible. We encourage scholars with a strong interest in interdisciplinary methods to apply.

While in residence at the Institute, postdoctoral fellows are expected to participate in Clayman Institute activities throughout the academic year in addition to pursuing their own research.  

Postdoctoral fellows participate in our community of Clayman Institute faculty research fellows, faculty affiliates, and graduate dissertation fellows through their own research and contributions to our goal of reinvigorating gender equality. Postdoctoral fellows' responsibilities include contributing to the Clayman Institute's Gender News, working with Graduate Dissertation Fellows, participating in professional development workshops, and attending our regularly scheduled faculty research seminars.

The postdoctoral fellows play a critical role in Gender News, which is the public outreach component of the Clayman Institute and our affiliated scholars. To increase the impact of innovative work on gender equality, Gender News publishes articles on gender research for academic and general audiences. Postdoctoral fellows write articles for Gender News that include summaries of the latest peer-reviewed gender research, interviews with Institute faculty research fellows and faculty affiliates, and reviews of relevant academic conferences. 

Applications for 2025-27 fellowships are anticipated to open on December 2, 2024 and close on January 10, 2025.

Meet our current postdoctoral fellows

Qualifications

The appointment is for two years. Applicants must have their doctoral degree in hand no later than 30 days prior to the appointment start date (in September 2024), and the start date must be no more than three years after the awarding of their degree (2021 or later). 

Postdoctoral fellows receive a stipend, annual research fund, standard benefits, relocation funds and are expected to be in residence for the duration of the fellowship. 

Application Instructions

1.  STATEMENT OF INTEREST: In 500 words or less, explain your general interest in becoming a postdoctoral fellow at the Clayman Institute.

2. SHORT QUESTIONS:  In 150 words or less per question, please answer:

  • If you are selected, what would your plans be in your first year as a Clayman Institute postdoctoral fellow?
  • If you are selected, what would your longer-term career plans be after finishing your Clayman Institute postdoctoral fellowship?

3. OPINION PIECE: In 300 words or less, select a gender-focused current event and, using research, formulate an opinion piece. Make an argument for the way the general public should think about the event or issue you selected.  Applicants should be able to make their research-based point succinctly and without supporting documentation.  The successful candidate will adhere to the maximum 300 word limit.  This piece should be single space paragraphs only.  At the top of your opinion piece list only your initials and total number of words.

4. DISSERTATION RESEARCH SUMMARY: In 1000 words or less, single-spaced and including all notes and bibliography, provide a summary of your dissertation.

5. CV: Provide a curriculum vitae of no more than 5 pages.

6. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (WILL BE REQUESTED FOR SEMI-FINALISTS ONLY)

Two letters of recommendation will be requested only from those candidates who move to semi-finalist status. Instructions for how to submit letters of recommendation will be provided directly to semi-finalists by the end of February 2024.

Please direct any questions regarding the Clayman Institute Postdoctoral Research Fellowship process to lgottlie [at] stanford.edu (Lea Gottlieb), Fellowship Manager.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford also welcomes applications from others who would bring additional dimensions to the University’s research, teaching and clinical missions.