Postdoctoral Scholar-in-Residence

Wabash College, a liberal arts college for men located in Crawfordsville, Indiana, seeks applicants for a postdoctoral Scholar-in-Residence to be housed in the Stephenson Institute for Classical Liberalism. Stephenson Institute postdoctoral Scholar-in-Residencies are residential fellowships that support full-time research and publication efforts. The duration of the appointment is one full academic year with the possibility of renewal for a second-year term. The disciplinary field, project design, and research approach are open. Successful applicants will have an interest in engaging with our students and participating in the intellectual life of the College and Institute during the fellowship, and will propose a project that contributes to one or more of the subject areas and research topics of particular interest to the Stephenson Institute’s mission:

• The institutional and cultural conditions of individual rights and legal equality
• Free inquiry, free expression, free speech, and the market-place of ideas
• The relationship(s) between market economies and government intervention
• The role of personal responsibility in a free society
• Comparative and historical investigations of differing property rights regimes
• Comparative political economy and comparative political philosophy

Applicants are invited in their proposals to offer other ideas for how they might contribute to the Institute’s programming and areas of student engagement. While the primary focus of the position is research, the Scholar-in-Residence will also contribute to campus conversations via participation in Institute programming. There are no formal teaching expectations, but an undergraduate course offering may be arranged on an ad hoc basis and the discretion of the relevant academic department.

Preferred start date is July 1, 2027. This position provides salary, benefits, private office space, relocation costs, and a fund to support research, travel, and related needs. Salary will be commensurate with relevant experience and academic field.

About Wabash College and the Stephenson Institute

Founded in 1832, Wabash College is a private, independent, residential four-year liberal arts college with a mission to “educate men to think critically, act responsibly, lead effectively, and live humanely.” Its faculty is ranked No. 9 nationally for accessibility by the Princeton Review. The College invests significant resources to ensure students can participate in off-campus and international immersion learning experiences. Our 92-acre wooded campus is located in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Crawfordsville is a growing, vibrant community with easy access to outdoor recreation and facilities. Within 50 minutes of Indianapolis, Crawfordsville is close to an array of nationally recognized museums and sports facilities, including those housing the WNBA Fever, NBA Pacers, and NFL Colts.

In the midst of a strategic transformation to advance the success of first-generation students and students from low-income families, Wabash College is committed to attracting and effectively supporting faculty and staff who are committed to student success. Approximately 25% of our students are federal Pell Grant recipients, one-third are first-generation college students, and about 20% identify as domestic students of color. Wabash offers a range of academic and cultural programs open to all members of the community. Wabash is a top-50 Liberal Arts College according to U.S. News and a member of Colleges That Change Lives. Many students, staff, and faculty find the close-knit community of the residential college one of the most rewarding aspects of joining the Wabash College community.

Established in 2021, the Stephenson Institute for Classical Liberalism is a non-partisan academic research center. It provides teaching, learning, and research opportunities for motivated students and faculty at Wabash College and beyond whom share an interest in the operations and implications of a free society.

Qualifications

Applicants should have a terminal degree in their academic field, and be no further than three years since completion of a Ph.D. To apply, go to www.wabash.edu/employment and click the “Apply Now” button. The application dossier should consist of:

1. A cover letter describing interest in the position and interest in the stated mission and topic areas of the Stephenson Institute for Classical Liberalism;
2. A curriculum vitae;
3. A proposal for the research project to be conducted in residence; and
4. Email addresses for two individuals who will submit letters of reference that address the scholar’s contributions to the field.

Inquiries about the positions should be addressed to Daniel J. D’Amico, director of the Stephenson Institute for Classical Liberalism at [email protected]. Review of applications will begin on November 30, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

Wabash College, a liberal arts college for men, seeks faculty and staff who are committed to providing quality engagement with students, high levels of academic challenge and support, and meaningful experiences that prepare students for life and leadership among diverse populations around the globe. Wabash is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from persons of all backgrounds.