Princeton DeCenter Postdoctoral Fellowships

Call for Applications: Princeton DeCenter Postdoctoral Fellowship (Fall 2026)

The Princeton DeCenter invites applications for its inaugural Postdoctoral Fellow position, as well as applications from more senior researchers with academic or industry experience, beginning in Fall 2026. Applicants must apply online at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/40762and include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement, and the names and contact information for three references. The term of appointment is based on rank. The position at the postdoctoral rank is for one year with the possibility of renewal pending satisfactory performance and continued funding; candidates hired at more senior ranks may have multi-year appointments. The Fellow must have a Ph.D. in hand by the start of the appointment.

The Fellow will join a vibrant intellectual community dedicated to advancing research on blockchain, decentralized technologies, and their applications across computer science, economics, law, political science, philosophy, and related fields. The DeCenter is a newly established interdisciplinary hub at Princeton University devoted to exploring the decentralization of power and trust through blockchain (and similar) technology.

Scope and Expectations

We seek an interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellow who can jointly lead research projects with collaborators across multiple departments. The Fellow’s primary responsibilities will be to conduct research and collaborate with others in cross-disciplinary research initiatives. To help maintain a vibrant interdisciplinary community, the Fellow will also assist with co-organizing weekly seminars, occasional workshops, and other activities that support the broader DeCenter community.

An ideal candidate would satisfy the following selection criteria:

• A strong record of research in their primary discipline.

• A demonstrated ability to lead independent projects.

• A demonstrated ability (ideal) or demonstrated interest (necessary) in interdisciplinary engagements, and the ability to serve as a strong bridge between their primary discipline and others.

• A strong record of research (ideal) or demonstrated interest (necessary) in foundational research concerning blockchain technology or similar technologies that support the decentralization of trust.

Application Instructions

Applications received by December 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST will receive full consideration. Applications received after that date will be considered on a rolling basis, subject to availability.

Applications must include:

• A cover letter.

  • The cover letter should briefly state the applicant's primary discipline and any qualifications related to the selection criteria.

• A research statement (1–3 pages) describing the candidate’s prior research that best exemplifies the selection criteria.

• A brief statement of purpose describing what motivates the candidate to pursue an interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellowship concerning blockchain technology and its applications, and elaborating on any qualifications relevant to the aims of this fellowship.

• A curriculum vitae.

• The names and email addresses of at least three references.

This position is subject to the University’s background check policy. The work location for this position is in person on the Princeton University campus.