SEAREG Postdoctoral Fellowship (12-month Postdoctoral Fellowship), Thailand

Summary

The Southeast Asia Research Group (SEAREG), housed academically in collaboration with Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy / Duke Center for International Development, invites applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowship program. Beginning in Summer 2027, the program funds a 12-month appointment for one Postdoctoral Fellow placed at one of four premier partner institutions across Southeast Asia.

The fellowship aims to equip emerging scholars with advanced training, networking opportunities, and dedicated field research support to enhance competitiveness in academic and professional job markets. The Fellow will receive dedicated mentorship from both a host institution faculty member and a member of the SEAREG Executive Council, as well as an opportunity to present their scholarship at SEAREG’s annual Southeast Asian workshop in Summer 2027.

SEAREG Postdoctoral Fellowship (2027–2028)

Supported by the Southeast Asia Research Group (SEAREG) via the Duke Center for International Development (DCID) and the Henry Luce Foundation.

Designation

• Position: Postdoctoral Fellow (12-month appointment; direct employee of the host partner institution)
• Appointment Period: July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028
• Compensation: Competitive salary, research expense support fund, and covered travel to SEAREG’s annual Southeast Asian workshop.

Program Overview & Key Dates

Research Area

• Disciplines: Social Sciences, including Political Science, Sociology, Economics, Cultural Anthropology, or related fields.
• Scope: Theoretically informed, analytically sophisticated, and methodologically rigorous research addressing Southeast Asia.
• Note: The researcher is not strictly required to focus their dissertation or postdoc project solely on the host institution’s country, but their project must substantiate why the host university serves as a strong fit.

Location (Partner Host Institutions)

The Fellow will be based on-site at one of the following four partner universities in Southeast Asia:

1. Chulalongkorn University – Bangkok, Thailand
2. Mahidol University (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities) – Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
3. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) – George Town, Penang, Malaysia
4. VinUniversity (Smart Green Transformation Center) – Hanoi, Vietnam

Eligibility / Qualifications

To qualify for consideration, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Doctoral Degree: Ph.D. completed between May 2024 and May 2027 (a June 1, 2027 completion date is acceptable if supported by an advisor’s letter confirming all degree requirements are met).
• Institutional Origin: Ph.D. must have been earned from an accredited institution in North America (United States, Canada, or Mexico). Permanent residency or North American citizenship is not required.
• Language Proficiency: Demonstrated English fluency suitable for scholarly teaching, writing, and presentations.
• Scholarly Focus: Proven substantive commitment to Southeast Asian studies during doctoral training, aligning with SEAREG’s emphasis on deep area knowledge combined with transparent, rigorous social science methods.
• Exclusivity: Cannot hold concurrent academic, postdoctoral, or employment appointments during the fellowship term.

Job Description & Responsibilities

The Fellow will advance their research agenda while actively contributing to academic life at their assigned host institution:

• Research Agenda: Conduct field research and draft manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed academic journals.
• Mentorship & Collaboration: Collaborate closely with a full-time, permanent faculty mentor at the host institution and receive additional career guidance from a SEAREG Executive Council mentor.
• Workshops & Presentations: Attend and present research at SEAREG’s annual Southeast Asian workshop in Summer 2027.
• Institutional Engagement (varies by host site):
  • Chulalongkorn University: Present a public research lecture; fulfill teaching/seminar duties established with the department.
  • Mahidol University: Teach one designated course and deliver a public lecture or academic seminar.
  • Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM): Present research at a faculty seminar, deliver guest lectures in political science courses, explore co-authorship opportunities, and potentially affiliate with the Research and Education for Peace USM (REPUSM).
  • VinUniversity: Integrate into active research teams at the Smart Green Transformation Center, primarily focusing on collaborative research initiatives.

How to Apply

1. Preliminary Host Engagement

Before applying, prospective applicants must reach out to potential faculty mentors at their intended host institution to secure mentorship agreement. Applicants needing introduction assistance may contact SEAREG Program Manager Jack Daly at jack.daly@duke.edu.

2. Application Dossier

Candidates must compile and upload the following documents through the online SEAREG application portal:

1. Cover Letter: One-page statement introducing the candidate, intended host site, and career objectives.
2. Research Proposal: Two-page document outlining:
   • Fellowship research plan and intended outputs (articles, book chapters, etc.).
   • Plan of engagement with the selected host institution.
   • Designated faculty mentor and rationale for the institutional pairing.
3. Mentor Letter of Support: Maximum two-page endorsement letter from a permanent, full-time faculty member at the intended host institution (each faculty mentor may support only one applicant).
4. Writing Samples: Two representative writing samples (published papers, working drafts, or dissertation chapters) demonstrating regional research depth.
5. Letters of Recommendation: Two academic recommendation letters.

3. Submission Portal

Access and complete the online application directly via the official portal linked on the Duke DCID SEAREG Postdoctoral Fellowship Page.

Last Date to Apply

• Application Deadline: Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 12:00 PM (Noon) Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Link