Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Smith Institute, Fall 2026

Chapman University • Orange, CA

3d

About The Position

The Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy at Chapman University invites applications for a two-year Post Doctoral position, beginning August 2026. Chapman University is a nationally ranked, R2 Carnegie Classified, private institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. Chapman’s campuses are home to nearly 10,000 students representing 50 states, three territories, and 87 countries. The 11 schools and colleges of Chapman, including Schmid College of Science and Technology, offer 65 bachelor's, 53 master's, and six doctoral programs, along with nearly 60 minors and 17 accelerated and bridge programs. Classes are taught by more than 1,100 dedicated faculty members who are leaders in their fields, including Nobel Prize recipients, MacArthur Fellows, National Medal of Science honorees, former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, and Emmy, Grammy, and Academy Award winners. The mission of the Smith Institute is to reintegrate the study of the humanities and economics in the spirit of Adam Smith, the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations , and to recombine research and undergraduate education as a discovery process in the spirit of Vernon Smith, the progenitor of experimental economics.

Requirements

• Qualified candidates will hold a Ph.D. by the start of the appointment in August 2026.
• The doctorate must be awarded within the last 5 years.
• Candidates in Economics, Philosophy, Political Science, or other fields related to the Smith Institute’s mission will be considered.
• Demonstrate potential for exceptional research and teaching
• Exhibit willingness to collaborate with the Smith Institute faculty in realization of its mission
• Ability to generate and publish research of the highest quality.

Nice To Haves

• An eagerness to incorporate literature and film in research and teaching

Responsibilities

• The Post Doc will be expected to teach one course per year
• Plan, design, and conduct complex research independently and in consultation with the supervisor and other Smith Institute colleagues.
• Prepare this research for publication and/or presentation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees