The Department of Classics and the Cogut Institute for the Humanities at Brown University invite applications for a 2-year appointment as International Humanities Postdoctoral Research Associate with a specialization in Premodern South Asia. This position, effective July 1, 2026, is to be held jointly at the Cogut Institute for the Humanities and the Department of Classics, with additional affiliation with the Center for Global Antiquity.

We seek a scholar trained in any discipline working on the history, literature, religion, or culture of South Asia before 1500 CE. Candidates should engage in some way with the corpus of Sanskrit texts, alone or alongside other evidence. We encourage innovative approaches, comparative work, and researchers who situate their object of study within a global context.

The appointee will teach one class per semester in the Sanskrit program within Classics; courses taught in English translation are welcome. Courses that would be suitable for cross-listing in Religious Studies are particularly encouraged, and cross-listing is also possible in a number of other Humanities departments. The postdoctoral research associate is expected to participate in the Cogut Institute’s weekly Tuesday seminars as well as other activities. 

The appointment will begin on July 1, 2026. Receipt of the Ph.D. or completion of all degree requirements is required by July 1, 2026. Recipients of a Ph.D. from Brown University are ineligible as are any applicants whose Ph.D. was earned prior to the last five years. The postdoctoral research associate will receive standard benefits and a $2,000 per year reimbursable research fund. For this position, Brown offers only the J-1 visa classification to scholars who need immigration sponsorship in order to enter the U.S. and commence lawful employment under the terms of their appointment.

Applicants should submit a letter of application, CV, dissertation abstract, a writing sample, a sample syllabus for a course to be taught in English translation within the Sanskrit program, and a list of three recommenders. Applicants should state in their cover letter how they would contribute to the research and/or teaching missions of our diverse and inclusive university community. Finalists will be asked for three letters of recommendation.

Applications should be submitted online at https://apply.interfolio.com/177758. Review of applications will begin on January 23 2026 and continue until the position is held.