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With the generous support of the Tang Center for Early China, the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University is pleased to invite applications for a one-year Postdoctoral Research Scholar position in Early China Studies, to start on September 1, 2026, and end on August 31, 2027.

The Tang Center Postdoctoral position is intended to foster the academic careers of recent PhDs whose area of research is Early China Studies. In addition to pursuing his or her own research, the successful candidate is expected to teach one course per semester (two courses in total). One course must be a department core course "Introduction to East Asian Civilizations: China," and the other course must be a graduate seminar on Early China. In some cases, other teaching assignments may be made according to departmental need. He/she will give a lecture at the Tang Center, and take part in the regular events of the department and the Tang Center.

Compensation includes a competitive annual salary, and health benefits. The scholar will be provided with office space, access to the library system, and other related administrative assistance.

Review of applications will begin on June 1, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

Applicants must have completed their Ph.D. degrees (defense and deposit of the dissertation) by June 30, 2026, but no earlier than July 1, 2020. Candidates who do not yet hold a Ph.D. but expect it by June 30, 2026, must indicate the date of the defense and the date of the dissertation deposit.

All applications must be made through Columbia University?s Academic Search and Recruiting system (ASR/Interfolio). Please upload the following required materials:

1) Cover letter

2) Curriculum Vitae

3) 10 page double-spaced research project proposal with the following information:

• The significance of the project
• Comprehensive list of sources
• Method of study
• Potential contributions of the proposed research

4) A one-page statement of teaching interests

5) Two syllabi, one of which is for a graduate seminar course on Early China, and the other for the undergraduate lecture course: ?Introduction to East Asian Civilizations: China? (note: Columbia courses normally meet a total of two or three hours per week throughout a fourteen-week semester).

6) A writing sample (may be a dissertation chapter)

7) Two letters of recommendation (in English)

Application materials (including letters of reference) received by May 30, 2026 will receive full consideration. Candidates may be invited for an interview to be held by phone or video. All evaluations made in connection with applications received are confidential.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.  The above hiring range represents the University?s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

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