Postdoctoral Associate in Global Antiquity at Yale University

Yale University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate in Global Antiquity. The position is part of Archaia: The Yale Program for the Study of Global Antiquity, based in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. This one-year academic appointment includes a secondary appointment as Lecturer and begins in the 2027–2028 academic year. It may be renewed for a second year following a successful review. Applications will be reviewed from 1 December 2026.

Position Details

Position: Postdoctoral Associate in Global Antiquity
Institution: Yale University, USA
Programme: Archaia – The Yale Program for the Study of Global Antiquity
Relevant Academic Fields: Classics, History, Archaeology, Religious Studies, Anthropology, History of Art and related disciplines
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Job Type: Postdoctoral Associate with a secondary appointment as Lecturer
Contract Duration: 1 year, renewable for a second year subject to a successful review
Start Date: Academic year 2027–2028
Application Review Begins: 1 December 2026
Salary: Commensurate with Yale University postdoctoral compensation policies and the candidate’s experience
Required Qualification: PhD in a relevant discipline or a related field

About the Position

Archaia brings together researchers and graduate students from different academic fields to study early and pre-modern cultures and civilisations. The programme involves scholars from Yale’s Humanities and Social Sciences, Divinity and Law Schools, as well as those working with the university’s museums, libraries and research collections.

It organises conferences, colloquia, the year-long Ancient Societies Workshop (ASW) and study tours. Archaia also offers a graduate qualification for students interested in research beyond traditional departmental boundaries.

Past workshop topics have included environmental humanities, ancient music, comparative linguistics, ancient law, ritual, digital humanities and the archaeology of Dura Europos. Upcoming topics include writing, materiality and ancient concepts of embodiment.

The programme is particularly keen to hear from researchers exploring ancient societies and cultures outside the Mediterranean world.

Research Areas

Archaia brings together scholars from a range of academic disciplines and encourages interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research. Its areas of interest include:

Classics and Ancient History
Near Eastern, East Asian and South Asian Studies
History and Religious Studies
Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Art
Environmental Humanities and Digital Humanities
Comparative Linguistics, Ancient Law and Ritual
Research exploring connections between different cultures, languages and academic disciplines

Eligibility and Qualifications

Applicants should have:

A PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Classics, East Asian Studies, South Asian Studies, History, Religious Studies, Archaeology, Anthropology, History of Art, African American Studies, Latin American Studies or a related field.
An academic background and research record that reflect a commitment to interdisciplinary or cross-cultural research.
Research interests that connect at least two of the areas, languages or disciplines represented by Archaia.
The ability to develop collaborative relationships across academic departments and university collections.
Strong organisational skills.

Yale particularly encourages applications from scholars underrepresented in the study of antiquity.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

Serve on the Archaia Steering Committee.
Coordinate the graduate certification programme.
Mentor graduate students through the graduate forum.
First Year: Offer a graduate seminar and/or organise a study tour.
Second Year: Co-teach the Archaia core seminar with a Yale faculty member and/or co-organise the Archaia Study Tour.
Conduct independent research and contribute to Archaia’s academic activities.

The associate will report to the Archaia co-chairs and work with at least one academic mentor from a field or department closely related to their research expertise.

Important Dates

Application Review Begins: 1 December 2026
Expected Start: Academic year 2027–2028

Application Process

Applicants must submit their applications online through Yale University’s Interfolio portal. They should upload all required documents and arrange for three referees to submit recommendation letters addressed to Molly Zahn, Chair of the Search Committee.

Required Documents

Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Research Statement: Up to 1,000 words outlining the research the applicant plans to pursue at Yale.
Three Academic Programme Descriptions: Up to 500 words each, covering:
- A co-taught Global Antiquity seminar for the Archaia core course.
- A graduate seminar related to the applicant’s research specialisation and Global Antiquity.
- A proposed study tour lasting 5–10 days.
Teaching Portfolio: Teaching evaluations or other evidence of teaching effectiveness, along with syllabi for courses the applicant has taught or plans to teach.
Three Letters of Recommendation: Each addressed to Molly Zahn, Chair of the Search Committee.

Applicants and their referees must upload the relevant documents through Interfolio.

View & Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

Can applicants propose their own research themes?
Applicants must outline their proposed research at Yale. Archaia also welcomes innovative proposals for future workshops and core seminars.

Does the position offer academic mentorship?
Yes. The associate will work with at least one academic mentor from a field or department closely related to their research expertise and will report to the Archaia co-chairs.

Is the study tour compulsory?
Applicants must include a proposed 5–10-day study tour in their application. During the first year, the associate is expected to offer a graduate seminar and/or organise a study tour.

Are applicants from underrepresented academic backgrounds encouraged to apply?
Yes. Yale particularly welcomes applications from scholars underrepresented in the study of antiquity.

Is 1 December 2026 the final application deadline?
No. This is the date when application reviews begin. The vacancy does not specify a final closing date.