The Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) is a center for advanced scholarly research and graduate education, which aims to encourage particularly the study of the economic, religious, political and cultural connections between ancient civilizations.
In an effort to embrace a truly inclusive geographical scope while maintaining continuity and coherence, the Institute focuses on the shared and overlapping periods in the development of cultures and civilizations around the Mediterranean basin, and across central Asia to the Pacific Ocean. The approaches of anthropology, archaeology, geography, geology, history, economics, sociology, art history, digital humanities, and the history of science and technology are as integral to the enterprise as the study of texts, philosophy, and the analysis of artifacts.
ISAW anticipates appointing scholars in several different categories for the 2025-26 academic year. Applicants in all categories should be individuals of scholarly distinction or promise in any relevant field of ancient studies who will benefit from the stimulation of working in an environment with colleagues in other disciplines. Scholars with a history of interdisciplinary exchange and scholars whose academic interests include parts of the ancient Old World that are often underrepresented in traditional academic departments, including Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, are especially welcome and encouraged to apply.
Scholars at ISAW have access to the Institute's own library, as well as to a wide range of other libraries at NYU, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (located a block away), and other institutions in New York City, including Columbia University and the New York Public Library. They are provided with their own carrel workspace.
Scholars in all categories are expected to undertake research projects connected with ISAW's core academic mission, to be in residence at the Institute during the period for which they are appointed, to take part in the intellectual life of the community, to participate in ISAW seminars, to give a public lecture on their research at ISAW, and to play an active role in mentoring graduate students.
ISAW is prepared to host visiting scholars in three categories:
(1) Two-Year Visiting Assistant Professors: ISAW anticipates appointing up to two two-year Visiting Assistant Professors with a start-date of September 1, 2025. Holders of these positions are appointed as faculty, teach a graduate-level research seminar at ISAW, and teach one undergraduate course in an NYU department per academic year.
Visiting Assistant Professorships are reserved for early-career scholars who received their PhDs on or after May 1, 2022. Current doctoral students in their final year of dissertation work are also welcome to apply, but please note that official conferral of the PhD must take place prior to the start-date of the position (September 1, 2025). A research account is provided to defray the cost of travel to conferences and other research expenses. In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $77,500-$97,500. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
(2) One-Year Research Scholars: ISAW anticipates appointing up to three funded one-year Research Scholars for the 2025-26 academic year (September 1, 2025-August 31, 2026). Holders of these positions are appointed as professional research staff. One-Year Research Scholar positions are available to scholars of all post-PhD career stages, from recently minted PhDs to retired academics. Current doctoral students in their final year of dissertation work are also welcome to apply, but please note that official conferral of the PhD must take place prior to the start-date of the position (September 1, 2025). A research account is provided to defray the cost of travel to conferences and other research expenses. In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $77,500-$97,500. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
(3) Externally-Funded Visiting Scholars: ISAW is prepared to consider applications from postdoctoral scholars with their own funding from another source for appointments to be held during the 2025-26 academic year. Appointments can be for one semester (fall 2025 or spring 2026) or for the entire 2025-26 academic year. Externally Funded Visiting Research Scholar positions are available to scholars of all post-PhD career stages, from recently minted PhDs to retired academics. Applicants should have their doctorates in hand by the beginning of their period of appointment at ISAW. ISAW does not provide any funding to Externally Funded Visiting Scholars. Applicants should secure their own funding from an outside fellowship organization or via sabbatical funding from their home institution.
Application Instructions
The application must be completed in Interfolio and should include a cover letter, CV (including publication list), a research proposal, three letters of recommendation, and a writing sample (either a published article or dissertation chapter). Applicants must also complete a researcher profile form and an EEO form in Interfolio. Letters of recommendation from ISAW faculty and staff are not permitted.
The application link for each category appears below:
(1) Two-Year Visiting Assistant Professor: https://apply.interfolio.com/149667
(2) One-Year Research Scholar: https://apply.interfolio.com/149573
(3) Externally Funded Visiting Scholar: https://apply.interfolio.com/149655
For category 1 and 2, the application deadline is November 20, 2024. Applicants will be prompted in Interfolio to submit the names and email addresses of three referees; please be sure to do so before the November 20th deadline. Referees will be contacted via email and asked to submit their letters of recommendation electronically via Interfolio; they will have until December 1st to submit the letters.
Applicants will receive a system-generated confirmation email from Interfolio when they have successfully submitted their application. If you do not receive this email, this likely means that you have not successfully submitted your application. We are NOT able to review in-progress applications in Interfolio, so please make sure that you have successfully submitted your application prior to the November 20th deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted. Please plan accordingly.
Applicants in category 3 must apply at least one semester in advance of their anticipated start date; to ensure full consideration, the recommended deadline for all 2025-26 positions is November 20, 2024.
