Application deadline: April 3, 2025
Date of posting: March 1, 2025
Call for Applications: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Central Asian Studies
Department of Asian Studies, University of British Columbi
Situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people, the Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Central Asian Studies with a special focus on archival manuscript studies and oral literatures. This three-year, full-time position offers a unique opportunity for scholars to contribute to the growing field of Uyghur and Central Asian studies while collaborating with faculty and students at UBC. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty members as well as a broader research team, to process, prepare, and analyze a wide range of manuscripts and ethnographic materials housed at the UBC Asian Library.
About the Department of Asian Studies
UBC’s Department of Asian Studies is widely acknowledged as one of the finest in North America, with more than eighty faculty members leading courses in Asian thought, religion, history, literature, culture, and more. We offer one of the most diverse language programs for both heritage and non-heritage learners, providing instruction in nine Asian languages: Cantonese, Chinese, Hindi-Urdu, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Sanskrit, and Tibetan. Our undergraduate program offers a Major or Minor in Asian Area Studies or Asian Language and Culture, while our graduate program provides MA and PhD degrees in the cultures of South Asia (through Urdu/Hindi, Persian, Punjabi, and Sanskrit), the Himalayas, East Asia (Chinese, Japanese, Korean), Islamic Studies, Persian, and Transregional Indigenous studies involving multiple regions or subregions. Fields of study include literature, visual and popular culture, linguistics (historical and applied), history, religion, and philosophy.
Position Details
Title: Postdoctoral Fellow
Duration: 3 years, full-time
Start Date: September 1, 2025 (flexible based on visa timelines)
Location: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Salary: $60,000–$76,000 per year, plus benefits (see UBC Postdoctoral Fellows Benefits)
There is no citizenship requirement, but non-Canadian applicants must be able to meet all immigration requirements to be eligible for employment in Canada.
Key Responsibilities
- Archival Processing & Research – The fellow will assist in transcribing, translating, and contextualizing oral and written materials while curating and cataloging them within the archive.
- Ethical & Cultural Sensitivity – Working closely with the research team, the fellow will help develop culturally responsible privacy and access policies that align with Uyghur epistemologies and ethical codes of conduct.
- Mentorship & Collaboration – The fellow will provide guidance and research support for PhD and MA students, ensuring they are equipped to contribute meaningfully to the project.
- Digital Archiving & Accessibility – The fellow will utilize digital tools to preserve and enhance accessibility of materials, including creating metadata and subtitles in both Uyghur and English.
- Scholarly Output – The fellow will co-author research articles, contribute to an edited volume on Central Asian manuscript and oral traditions, and participate in conferences and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Qualifications
We welcome applications from scholars with expertise in Uyghur language and literature, manuscript studies, oral traditions, and historical linguistics. The ideal candidate will have:
- Fluency in oral and classical Uyghur, with familiarity across regional dialects.
- Reading proficiency in Old Uyghur script, Chagatai script, Uyghur Latin script (both old and new), Cyrillic, and modern Uyghur Arabic script.
- A PhD (or equivalent degree such as DPhil) in a relevant field—such as Central Asian Studies, Linguistics, History, Anthropology, or Digital Humanities—and normally completed up to five years earlier, or longer if personal and external other circumstances have caused career interruptions. ABD candidates will also be considered, with an expected completion date no later than July 1, 2025.
- Experience working with archival materials and digital preservation tools is an asset.
- Ability to work with Chinese materials and expertise in translation is desirable.
Support for Relocation & Research
We recognize that transitioning to a new position requires significant adjustment. To support this, the fellowship includes:
- $10,000 relocation funding to assist with moving costs.
- $5,000 annual research and travel support to facilitate conference participation and community engagement.
Salary & Benefits
The salary range for this position is $60,000–$76,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications, plus UBC postdoctoral benefits. For details on benefits, please refer to UBC Postdoctoral Fellows Benefits.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit the following materials:
- Letter of Application – A cover letter detailing the applicant’s qualifications, research interests, and suitability for the fellowship.
- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) – A comprehensive overview of academic and professional experience.
- Statement of Intended Research Project – A document outlining the applicant’s own proposed program of research during the fellowship (maximum two pages, single space).
- Writing Sample – A dissertation chapter, journal article, or other academic paper (maximum 30 pages, single- or double-spaced).
- Names and contact information for two references – Applicants should provide the names and contact information of two references who are willing to submit a confidential letter of recommendation. Once the application is submitted, we will contact referees directly to request letters. Referees should send their letters to jobsearch@ubc.ca by the application deadline.
- Confirmation of PhD (or DPhil), or supervisor/department confirmation of expected completion date
- Explanation for career interruption (if applicable; up to one page)
Submission Instructions:
All applications must be submitted via the application portal at https://asia.ubc.ca/about/job-opportunities/ by April 3, 2025. Please direct any inquiries to asia.jobsearch@ubc.ca.
Application Deadline: April 3, 2025
For any inquiries regarding administrative questions, please contact: asia.jobsearch@ubc.ca
For any inquiries related to the research, please contact Mark Turin at mark.turin@ubc.ca
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
We look forward to your application and to the opportunity to collaborate on this exciting and impactful project.