Early Career Fellow (2115)

The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options.  

The Center’s 21-acre Honolulu campus, adjacent to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, is located midway between Asia and the U.S. mainland and features research, residential, and international conference facilities. The Center’s Washington, D.C., office focuses on preparing the United States for an era of growing Asia Pacific prominence. 

Applications are being accepted for three Early Career Fellows (ECF). The ECF program mentors outstanding individuals with the intellectual curiosity and multidisciplinary research skills needed to explore the rapid and transformative changes occurring in agriculture, urbanization, food security, water, labor and migration, and climate across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Fellows will be proficient in the digital world promoting collaborative research across the region using modern information and communication technologies. Fellows will work constructively with colleagues from across the region to advance methodologies for finding, marketing, and implementing new solutions in the language and methods of biophysical and social sciences. The ECF program offers the Fellow an opportunity to join a community of collaborators to create imaginative, transdisciplinary projects in pursuit of insights into the complex systems that matter most for science and society in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. There is particular interest in individuals with expertise in 1) Insular Southeast Asia, 2) Mainland Southeast Asia, and 3) South Asia.

The positions are two-year limited appointments and will include the following responsibilities: 

• Engage deeply in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to develop a regional perspective
• Design and conduct collaborative research with scholars across disciplines on issues of emerging importance in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region which contribute to the management and resolution of critical political, economic, agriculture, urbanization, food security, water, labor and migration, and/or climate issues in the region
• Contribute to scholarly material for publication such as research papers, articles, reports, and monographs 
• Learn about a wide range of foundations and grant-giving institutions to enhance grant writing skills
• Apply relevant research policy through stakeholder engagement at various steps of the research cycle and through a variety of publication types and other communication modes (workshops, town halls, and social media)
• Participate in the planning and organizing of seminars, workshops, and conferences for intercultural exchange of knowledge, experience, and research results
• Develop proposals for external funding for project activities
• Participate with colleagues and professionals from other institutions in the development of collaborative activities held at the Center and elsewhere. Carryout activities designed to increase substantive interaction of communicators, policymakers, and researchers concerned with solving challenging and complex problems in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

Candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent in a field such as Geography, Political Science, Economics, Urban and Regional Planning, Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Demography, Sociology, Information Technology or a related field from an accredited college or university. Seeking individuals who are starting a career or changing career paths toward scholarly research with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a transdisciplinary team in cooperative, cross-cultural, transdisciplinary endeavors. Candidates must be receptive to mentoring in pursuing career objectives and should show a record of research achievement commensurate with their time in their field of study with capacity in analytical and policy-relevant research.  Good communication skills in the English language demonstrating the ability to communicate results and recommendations in a clear and concise manner to academic as well as informed policy, public, and private-sector audiences. Candidates will have research and experience in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed research, and experience in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Ability to speak a regional language; capacity to bridge educational, research, professional training, and business expertise to resolve political, social, economic, and environmental issues, realizing that success normally requires multiple sectors to work constructively together. 

COMPENSATION:  Salary range $73,514 to $80,686 per year (depending on qualifications), which includes a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) currently at 10.28% (subject to change) and an attractive benefits package. 

OTHER INFORMATION: This position is based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Work will be conducted primarily remotely while COVID restrictions are in place, but successful candidates are required to reside in Hawaii throughout their appointment. Employees are expected to be onsite at our Honolulu offices once it is deemed safe to do so.

HOW TO APPLY:  Submit an application at www.eastwestcenter.org/employment. Application should include a resume and a cover letter with the position title and a statement addressing how the objectives of the Early Career Fellows Program correspond with the applicant’s career development. Also include names and contact information of three professional references.  Screening and assessment will be based on materials submitted.  Applications received by May 15, 2021 will receive full consideration. 

For more information about the Center, visit our website at www.EastWestCenter.org. 

An Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled.

As required under Title IX, the East-West Center does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities it operates, including in admissions and employment.