Post-Doc for The Louis Frieberg Center for East Asian Studies

About our Campus: Nestled atop Mount Scopus in northeastern Jerusalem, the Hebrew University's Mount Scopus Campus offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Established in 1925, it serves as the University's original campus and a beacon of academic excellence. The campus is home to the Faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Business Administration, Education, and Social Work, as well as the Rothberg International School. Its rich history and vibrant academic community provide students with a unique environment that blends rigorous scholarship with the cultural and historical tapestry of Jerusalem.
About Our Department: The Louis Frieberg Center for East Asian Studies, founded in 2006, is an interdisciplinary forum at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Center promotes the teaching, research and discussion of East Asian subjects, and links the academy to the wider public so that a diverse group of people and scholars can exchange ideas across disciplinary boundaries.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s various departments offer a wide variety of courses covering East Asian culture and affairs. The Center's mission is to coordinate Asia-related activities at the University and offer a broader selection of courses and lectures.

About Our Research: The Louis Frieberg Center for East Asian Studies offers annual postdoctoral fellowships to outstanding scholars specializing in East Asian studies within the humanities and social sciences. The fellowship program provides opportunities for research, academic collaboration, and teaching experience in the Department of Asian Studies at Hebrew University. Fellows will contribute to the academic life of the Center by organizing activities related to their research and participating in departmental seminars.

Job Description: We are seeking highly qualified postdoctoral researchers specializing in East Asian studies—focusing on China, Japan, Korea, or Mongolia—to join our Center for the 2025–2026 academic year. Fellows will conduct independent research and actively participate in Center activities. The fellowship includes teaching a semester-long course in the Department of Asian Studies. Candidates must have obtained their PhD no later than October 2025 and not earlier than October 2021. Fellows are expected to present their research at departmental seminars, participate in Center activities, and spend at least two days per week on campus, including the day of the Asian Studies departmental seminar.

About Your Supervisor: Prof. Michal Biran is the Max and Sophie Mydans Foundation Professor in the Humanities at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI), where she serves as the head of the Institute of Asian and African Studies. A distinguished historian specializing in Inner Asia, imperial China, and the medieval Islamic world, she holds joint appointments in the Departments of Asian Studies and Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. Prof. Biran's extensive research encompasses the Mongol Empire, pre-Mongol Central Asia—particularly the Qara Khitai and the Chaghadaids—cross-cultural interactions between China and the Muslim world, nomadic cultures, migrations, and the dynamics of mobility. Her scholarly contributions include authoring or editing 12 books and numerous articles. Notably, she co-edited The Cambridge History of the Mongol Empire with Hodong Kim, a comprehensive two-volume work published in 2022. In recognition of her academic achievements, Prof. Biran was elected as a member of the Israel Academy of Science and Humanities in 2014 and became a corresponding member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in 2021.

Funding:

Monthly Stipend: 8,500 NIS (tax-free, October 2025–June 2026).​ 

Travel Support: One economy-class roundtrip flight (up to 2,000 USD).​ 

Teaching Compensation: Additional 16,000 NIS for a semester-long course.

Your Profile (To excel in this role, we seek candidates with):

• A PhD in Humanities or Social Sciences with a specialization in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, or Mongolia). 
• Strong research background and publication record. 
• Willingness to contribute to academic activities at the Frieberg Center. 
• Ability to present research in relevant departmental seminars. 

Embracing Diversity: At Hebrew University we believe that diversity inspires creativity, fosters curiosity, and enriches our ecosystem through academic collaboration and cultural exchange. We consider every member of our community an integral part, irrespective of their religion, gender, or ethnic origin.

The University is home to nearly 25,000 students across our 6 campuses, including ~2,500 international students per year representing 90+ countries. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to engage with your peers here on equal ground, in an environment that promotes equity and inclusion, and celebrates the contribution of its talented members. 

Application:  Please submit your application as three separate PDFs, each containing the following: 

• Letter of motivation
• CV (including a list of publications)
• Copy of your original academic degree(s)

Application Deadline: See details below.

About Hebrew University: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) is one of the world's leading research institutions, consistently ranked as a global top 100 university. Established by luminaries such as Albert Einstein, the University is at the forefront of groundbreaking research, entrepreneurship, and innovation across various domains, including brain sciences, medicine, biomedicine, life sciences, mathematics, agriculture, and more. Our 6 campuses house 100+ research centers, with ~4,000 research projects underway year-round. 

About Jerusalem: Hebrew University is an integral part of Jerusalem, Israel’s capital and one of the most fascinating, diverse cities on earth. Thousands of students from across the globe live in Jerusalem, immersing themselves in its vibrant cultural and culinary scenes, while marveling at the juxtaposition of its 3,000-year-old history and cutting-edge modernity. Students make the most of their spare time by enjoying Jerusalem’s myriad attractions, from restaurants, cafes and pubs, to dance clubs, museums, theaters, and year-round festivals.