Postdoctoral Fellow in Medicine
Harvard University
United States

The Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School invites applications for a one-year paid postdoctoral fellowship as part of the Transcendence and Transformation (T&T) Initiative. The candidate will work under the supervision of the Director of the Center, Professor Charles Stang, and in close collaboration with other researchers at the CSWR, as part of the T&T Initiative. Please read the vision statement for the T&T Initiative at this link before applying.

The appointment will begin on September 1, 2024 and end August 31, 2025.

Candidates will pursue a research project in Religion and Indigenous Plant Medicine Traditions of the Americas that aligns with the Center’s T&T Initiative. The T&T initiative supports the study of religious and spiritual traditions and practices—ancient and modern, global in reach—that aim to transcend our normal states of being, consciousness, and embodiment, and thus to transform the individual, community, and society. We understand “religion” broadly to include indigenous, and syncretic, spiritual traditions that include the use of plants (and fungi) as part of their ritual and healing practices. “Americas” includes North, South, and Central America. And plant medicine traditions may be “psychedelic” but need not be. We understand “plant medicine traditions” broadly to include indigenous, and syncretic, spiritual/religious traditions that include the use of plants (and fungi) as part of their ritual and healing practices. 

The candidate will also devote some time (approximately 5 hours a week) helping to develop the T&T Database (TTD) . The database will be an archive of extraordinary experiences, situated in their historical, linguistic, and geographical contexts paired with by wide-ranging encyclopedic entries that will cover relevant texts, practices, religious traditions, figures, methods, and categories. The candidate will advise on how the TTD can best engage Indigenous Plant Medicine Traditions of the Americas; solicit and review encyclopedia entries from scholars in their field; and write archival entries based upon their own research.

The Fellowship will be based at the CSWR. Candidates are expected to reside in the Massachusetts or New England-area and in commuting distance from the CSWR for the duration of the fellowship.

Applicants should demonstrate the following qualifications:

(1) Completed advanced degree in a relevant field (completed PhD or ThD by the time of appointment, not more than five years from the degree)
(2) A research project that fits within the initiative
(3) Evidence of publications relevant to that research project (dissertation chapters and publications that are under review or forthcoming will be accepted)
(4) Evidence of an ability to work independently and collaboratively

Gosia Sklodowska, Associate Director, CSWR

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.