Visiting Scholar: Russia & Eurasia Research Fellow

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Borrowing privileges at Harvard libraries

Opportunity to audit Harvard courses

Invitations to exclusive events

Job summary

Harvard University seeks Visiting Scholars and Fellows at the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies to pursue research related to Russia and/or Eurasia. Candidates can apply for a fellowship ranging from three to twelve months and are expected to participate actively in academic activities.

This unpaid position requires securing external funding and health insurance independently. Eligible candidates include tenured faculty and exceptional Ph.D. candidates, with attendance at the New Research Workshop mandatory.

Qualifications

• Research proposals must focus on topics related to Russia and/or Eurasia.
• Must commit to a fellowship of no less than three months and no more than twelve months.
• Participation in New Research Workshop each week is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Pursue research with support from an interdisciplinary community.
• Engage in Davis Center academic activities, lectures, seminars, and workshops.
• Write a report summarizing fellowship activities.

Education

Ph.D. (at the time of application)

Job description

Visiting Scholar or Fellow (Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies)

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is unpaid and is not eligible for Harvard employee benefits.

The Davis Center defines “Eurasia” as consisting of the following regions: the Baltics, Eastern Europe, Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

For applicants who are applying to external funding opportunities for academic year 2027-2028, and who need to submit letters of support by or after September 1, 2026, applications must be submitted no later than July 15, 2026. Supporting letters of recommendation are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on July 15, 2026.

More details about eligibility, benefits, expectations, and application requirements can be found on the Davis Center’s Visiting Scholars Program webpage .

Title Visiting Scholar or Fellow (Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies)

School

School Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area

Department/Area Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies

Position Description

The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies’ Visiting Scholar Program offers comprehensive research, training and professional development opportunities for both junior and senior scholars whose research relates to Russia and/or Eurasia.

Visiting Scholars and Fellows pursue their research with support from an interdisciplinary community of experts and with access to world-class resources. The program provides scholars with experiences and connections that endure well beyond the fellowship year.

Both junior and senior scholars are encouraged to apply. Citizens of all countries are eligible.

Research proposals on topics related to the following regions are welcome: the Baltics, Eastern Europe, Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Russia.

About this position:
• This position is unpaid. Applicants are required to secure external funding independently. This can include receiving funding through home institutions or through external grant sources.
• This position is not eligible for Harvard employee benefits. Applicants are required to secure health insurance independently.
• Citizens of all countries may apply; international scholars may be provided with visa support from the Harvard International Office.
• All Visiting Scholars, Postdocs, and Fellows receive borrowing privileges at Harvard libraries, and, in some cases, may receive shared office space at the Davis Center.
• Special invitations to visitors-only events and other closed event opportunities.

• Opportunity to audit Harvard courses (auditing is at the discretion of the course instructor).

• Opportunity to present research in the New Research Workshop and receive feedback from colleagues and faculty on works-in-progress.
• Opportunity to participate in Davis Center programming including seminars, conferences, and other academic activities.

Basic Qualifications

Research proposals must focus on topics related to Russia and/or Eurasia. The Davis Center defines “Eurasia” as consisting of the following regions: the Baltics, Eastern Europe, Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

Applicants must be able to commit to a fellowship of no less than three months and no more than twelve months. Fellowships correspond with Harvard’s academic calendar, either for the fall semester (September 1-December 31), spring semester (January 1-May 31), or for one full year (September 1 – August 31). Fellowships for less than three months or more than twelve months will not be considered.

Citizens of all countries may apply.

The Davis Center offers three programs that allow external scholars to spend time on Harvard’s campus conducting research and writing.

Visiting Scholars: applicants must be tenured or tenure-track faculty with a current appointment at a university or research institute. This position requires a Ph.D. at the time of the application.

Fellows: applicants must be professionals with specialized and extensive knowledge of the region or exceptional Ph.D. candidates in the final stages of their candidacy. This position is not appropriate for individuals who have completed their Ph.D. or who are in the early stages of their Ph.D..

Postdoctoral Fellows: scholars must use external funds to support their post-doctoral opportunity at the Davis Center. Outside funding must meet the appropriate NIH step for their experience level. Personal funds must not be used, in full or in part, to meet this requirement. Separately, the Davis Center offers two fully-funded postdoctoral fellowships annually – one in history and one in Slavic languages and literatures.

Additional Qualifications

Members of the Davis Center’s Visiting Scholars Program must:

• Participate in the New Research Workshop. Attendance and active participation each week is mandatory;
• Prioritize their Davis Center research and be free of other academic commitments;
• Actively engage in Davis Center academic activities, lectures, seminars, and workshops;
• Be on campus for the entire duration of the dates of their Harvard appointments, as well as their Harvard-sponsored J-1 scholar visa for foreign nationals.

Visiting Scholars may also be asked to:

• Write a report at the end of their fellowship summarizing their activities.

Special Instructions

This position is unpaid and is not eligible for Harvard employee benefits.

The Davis Center defines “Eurasia” as consisting of the following regions: the Baltics, Eastern Europe, Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

For applicants who are applying to external funding opportunities for academic year 2027-2028, and who need to submit letters of support by or after September 1, 2026, applications must be submitted no later than July 15, 2026. Supporting letters of recommendation are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on July 15, 2026.

More details about eligibility, benefits, expectations, and application requirements can be found on the Davis Center’s Visiting Scholars Program webpage .

Kate Flaherty, Research Programs Coordinator

Contact Email

Salary Range

This position is unpaid.

Minimum Number of References Required

Minimum Number of References Required 2

Maximum Number of References Allowed

Maximum Number of References Allowed 3

Keywords

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy . Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• Please indicate the month and year in which you received, or expect to receive, your PhD or equivalent terminal degree.

  (Open Ended Question)

• Please indicate the field in which you received, or expect to receive, your PhD (or equivalent terminal degree).

  (Open Ended Question)

• Please indicate your current employer and position.

  (Open Ended Question)

• Proposed research title

  (Open Ended Question)

• Please provide a short summary of your research plan at Harvard. (200 words)

  (Open Ended Question)

• Please list those languages other than English in which you have fluency, specifying reading, spoken, or both

  (Open Ended Question)

• Fellows are required to be proficient in English. Non-US citizens, if accepted, will be asked to supply proof of English proficiency through documentation or interview. Are you proficient in English?
  • ◦Yes, I am proficient in English.
  • ◦No, I am not proficient in English.