Research Fellow, Public Philosophy

Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

Philosophy and Society Initiative 

The Philosophy & Society Initiative is dedicated to reigniting a national tradition of public philosophy. Through publications, events, and original research we seek to stimulate the appetite for reflection about our largest and most haunting issues of societal purpose—What is justice? What is a good life? What is society for?

ABOUT THIS ROLE

We are pleased to invite applications for 2 post-doctoral Research Fellow positions. The term of the position is initially September 2025-August 2026, with potential for renewal for a second year based on candidate performance.

The positions are designed as rigorous development experiences to enhance both the candidate’s aptitudes in public writing and the field of public philosophy at the highest levels of national discourse. As a foundation for the position, candidates are expected to have doctoral or equivalent level training in political philosophy, political theory or related disciplines. Our institutional goal is to raise the profile of public philosophy in the United States and across the world and to develop new infrastructure at the intersection of academia and public discourse that can engage robustly on both sides. Our ideal candidate will possess a profound understanding of philosophical concepts, and a capacity to apply them to pressing societal issues. The role demands a blend of creativity, independence, vision setting, leadership, effective project management, attention to editorial detail, and intellectual ambition.

Research Fellows will be full-time employees of the Aspen Institute, which is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and not an academic institution nor one that affords academic freedom in the traditional sense to its staff. As a result, Research Fellows will serve as representatives of the organization at all times in public spaces and with all public-facing communications. Written pieces, presentations, speaking engagements, etc. will be subject to appropriate review before publication.

This role reports to the Director, Philosophy & Society Initiative. The salary range is $67,000 - $72,000. Selected candidates will be expected to be in Washington, D.C. from September to June each year, and in the office a minimum of 3 days a week to participate in our on-site public philosophy research group.

*This role was previously advertised as "Scholar in Residence". The title has now been updated to Research Fellow. 

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Intensive training modules and mentoring in public writing and argument.
• Emphasis will be on a weekly rhythm of engagement with public argument in which selected candidates will be expected to produce targeted arguments directly engaged in the news-cycle—both long and short form—with the goal of publishing in both in-house and national media.
• Research Fellow will likely include two visits to the Civic Thought Initiative at Yale University, one in the fall and one in the spring. Fellows will have a chance to interact with students and scholars in fields related to their interests and to participate in salon-style discussions on campus."
• Administrative responsibilities tied to P&S’s broader work and the individual’s particular portfolio.
• Development of longer-term academic work in a candidate’s given field.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• A PhD in Philosophy or a related field; In exceptional cases we are open to intellectual journalists who have a strong record of genuine intellectual engagement and national level publication, or to more junior figures that show particular aptitude in the noted areas.
• Demonstrated intellectual interest in primary pressing philosophical issues facing society. We are also particularly interested in individuals who have aptitude in philosophical anthropology. Questions of humanism and transhumanism, virtue and ways of life, eudaimonia are all of interest.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• At base we expect candidates to have strong academic records both in research and publication. Experience in public writing about ideas and in engaging with media and social media is also welcome.

HOW TO APPLY:

Candidates should submit full academic CVs and a 2-page letter of interest. Letters should both offer clear articulation of the given candidate’s profile, and statement of intent regarding:

1. Research interests, particularly highlighting overlap with topics listed above

2. Interest and experience in public philosophy both within academia and if relevant, in other contexts

Applications for this position will stop being accepted after May 15, 2025. 


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

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