Visiting Scholar

The Harvard Asia Center invites applications from candidates whose proposed research focus aligns with the Center’s mission of “generating and sharing knowledge about Asia in the world and fostering collaboration and innovation across cultural and disciplinary boundaries,” for Visiting Scholar positions. Applications are accepted biannually in the Fall and Spring. 

Please note that appointments are unpaid and office space is limited and not guaranteed.

Term: The minimum length of affiliation is three months and the maximum is one year with the possibility of renewal for up to two years.

Qualifications: Must hold a Ph.D. and a current appointment at an academic institution and have the appropriate English fluency to engage with and contribute to the Asia Center scholarly community.

Conditions of affiliation: Must have the sponsorship of a Harvard junior or senior faculty member (please refer to the “Asia Center Affiliate Faculty Sponsor Acknowledgement” for details on sponsor responsibilities); will be expected to give a talk or prepare a paper on their research at some point during their appointment.

Services provided by the Asia Center: Harvard ID card that provides library privileges to Harvard University Libraries; Asia Center business card; Harvard FAS e-mail address; J-1 visa sponsorship; limited staff support; access to shared printer and copier; dependent on availability, a desk in a shared office.

Application Procedure

To be considered for an appointment, applicants must submit following documents and meet the requirements by the due date. 

• Asia Center Application for Affiliation
• Research proposal detailing what you plan on accomplishing during your appointment  
• Current curriculum vitae or résumé
• Letter of support from the faculty sponsor
• Certification of English Language Proficiency (filled out and singed by faculty sponsor)  
• Asia Center Affiliate Faculty Sponsor Acknowledgement form. Faculty sponsorship is a critical piece of the application.  

Applications will be considered by an Asia Center faculty committee.

Deadlines to apply and decision dates are given below.

Fall term start
Deadline to apply: Friday, February 16, 2018
Decision: March 2018

Spring term start
Deadline to apply: Friday, July 13, 2018
Decision: August 2018

Please send the application forms along with all the supporting documents by email to Tenzin Ngodup (tngodup@fas.harvard.edu).