Unpaid Fellowships

2026–2027 AKPIA Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

 

Postdoctoral Fellow / Visiting Scholar (unpaid), Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture, Harvard University

 

The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture (AKPIA) invites applications for unpaid Postdoctoral Fellow / Visiting Scholar appointments to conduct advanced historical research in Islamic art, architecture, material culture, and archaeology at Harvard University. We welcome applications from recent PhD graduates (as Postdoctoral Fellow) and mid-career scholars/senior scholars (as Visiting Scholar). Scholars who have secured their own funding for 2026-27 are welcome to apply. 

This is a full-time, immersion research appointment. Appointees are invited to deliver a lecture to the AKPIA community and submit to the annual journal of the Aga Khan Program, Muqarnas (published by Brill). Appointees will also be invited to meet periodically with the Director of the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture to discuss their research and potential submission topics for publication.

Appointees will have an affiliation with Harvard University’s Department of History of Art and Architecture (HAA), and are given access to all Harvard University libraries, museums, and facilities in furtherance of a well-defined, specific research project. Appointees may participate in departmental symposia and they are also welcome to audit Harvard seminars and lecture courses, if they so choose (with instructor permission).

Due to the importance of in-person mentoring and having the opportunity to interact with colleagues and researchers within our program, it is expected that appointees will pursue their research on campus and should plan to be on campus for a minimum of 3 weekdays each week. Appointees are encouraged to attend lectures hosted by AKPIA and HAA (the Department of History of Art and Architecture), and meet with faculty, students and other visiting scholars.

Please note: AKPIA does not support professional design, conservation, or urban development projects; applicants who plan to spend a significant amount of time conducting travel research are not encouraged to apply; appointees are responsible for arranging their own health insurance, which is required of all Massachusetts residents; appointees are responsible for finding their own housing.

 

Basic Qualifications:

  • PhD in Islamic Art History, Architectural History, Archaeology or related field
  • Published in Islamic Art History, Architectural History, Archaeology or related field
  • Demonstrated experience in Islamic Art History through teaching, museum curation, or other demonstrable close study and engagement
  • Excellent research skills
  • Excellent command of the English language (both the AKPIA lecture and the submission to Muqarnas will be in English)

  • Confirmed funding in the form of a fellowship, grant or paid sabbatical leave

     

Additional Qualifications:

  • Experience in a research library, archive, special collection, museum, or comparable environment.
  • Ability to work independently
  • Ability to participate in the academic life of the AKPIA program at Harvard University; available to attend lectures and other events

 

Using the application portal, applicants should submit their Cover letter, Curriculum vitae, a Statement of Research, two writing samples, and two references’ names/contact information. The Research Statement should indicate desired start and finish dates for the appointment in the 2026-2027 academic year, and should detail source of funding. The duration of AKPIA Fellowships are usually a minimum of 3 months (occurring between September and May) and a maximum of 12 months.


Applicants are encouraged to review Harvard University’s calendar (see our 10 year academic calendar, looking at 2026-2027 dates: https://registrar.fas.harvard.edu/calendars#tenyear). Applicants may consider an early September start date, or a late January start date, for shorter appointments.


Review of applications will begin on April 15, 2026 and will continue until positions are filled. Applicants should notify their reference letter writers right away, as completion of application will trigger a letter request email.

 

For more information, please visit the AKPIA website https://agakhan.fas.harvard.edu/harvard-akpia or contact Cecily Pollard, Program Administrator, at agakhan@fas.harvard.edu

 

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

 

To view past research topics, see our previous Fellows and Associates listings

 

Apply here: https://academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/16004

 

 

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