NUS ARI Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027–28: 6 Open Calls

NUS ARI Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027–28 at a Glance

The Asia Research Institute at NUS conducts interdisciplinary humanities and social-sciences research focused on Asia. Its principal FY2027/28 fellowship recruitment is organised through individual research clusters rather than through one generic fellowship advertisement.

Six Current ARI Postdoctoral and Research Fellow Calls

Five of the current openings form part of ARI’s FY2027/28 cluster fellowship recruitment. A sixth opening is tied to a specific social-capital research project and uses different appointment and application requirements.

Migration & Mobilities

The cluster studies migration, mobility and immobility within and beyond Asia. Current interests include migration infrastructures, labour-migration brokerage, educational mobility, ageing and migration, and relationships among migration, health and wellbeing.

Asian Urbanisms

The current recruitment particularly welcomes work examining the social and spatial justice dimensions of urban development in Asia. Experience with collaborative research and external funding is especially relevant.

Food Politics & Society

The cluster covers food systems across themes including power, politics and policy; production, consumption and technology; and historical legacies and meanings of food.

Science, Technology & Society

Current priority areas include plant humanities, extraction ecologies, elemental media, multispecies studies, digitised labour, and artificial intelligence and epistemic practices.

Religion & Globalisation

The current call particularly seeks research on new technologies and religious change as well as historical time, future-making and changing understandings of religion in Asian contexts.

Social Capital in Singapore project

The separate project-specific position supports the 18-month study “Social Capital in Singapore: A Deep Dive into Social Mix and Social Mixing.” The researcher will be hosted in ARI’s Migration & Mobilities Cluster and will contribute to focus-group research, data analysis, academic writing and wider research dissemination.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility for the five FY2027/28 cluster calls

ARI seeks humanities and social-sciences scholars conducting research on Asia, with an existing publication record and a proposed programme of work that fits the priorities of the selected research cluster.

Applicants normally hold a PhD from a recognised university. A candidate who is still completing the doctorate may apply provided they will be confirmed for graduation by their ARI commencement date.

An official letter from the university Registrar confirming the award of the PhD is required before commencement.

Postdoctoral Fellow versus Research Fellow

Candidates with more than two years of research experience after the PhD may be considered for appointment as a Research Fellow. Research Fellow candidates are expected to demonstrate publications appropriate to their post-PhD experience and a research programme extending beyond their doctoral work.

Eligibility for the project-specific Social Capital position

The separate project call seeks applicants with a PhD, or a doctorate awaiting conferment, in the humanities or social sciences. Preferred backgrounds include Social Geography, Sociology, Anthropology and Migration Studies.

Strong qualitative-research skills are required, while mixed-methods experience is an advantage. Applicants should also demonstrate research interest in the project’s themes, publication potential, strong academic communication and an ability to work with interdisciplinary and non-academic partners.

Salary, Appointment and Benefits

FY2027/28 cluster fellowships

These are all-in monthly amounts inclusive of stipends for housing and living expenses.

Eligible candidates may receive travel assistance. ARI also provides support for approved research fieldwork and conference attendance.

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible for Central Provident Fund benefits. Salary and benefits-in-kind are subject to applicable Singapore taxation.

Project-specific Social Capital position

The appointment is available for one year in the first instance, with possible renewal into the second year. The successful candidate is expected to start in November 2026 and no later than December 2026.

The public ARI call does not state a fixed salary for this separate project position. Applicants should therefore rely on the current NUS recruitment portal and formal offer for compensation details rather than applying the S$6,000 cluster-fellowship figure automatically.

Documents Required

Five FY2027/28 cluster fellowships

Applicants should combine the principal documents into one PDF and upload it under the CV field in the NUS recruitment system.

• Curriculum Vitae: maximum 3 single-spaced pages.
• Research synopsis: maximum 2 single-spaced pages.
• Published work sample: at least one short sample, preferably in English.
• Referees: names and contact details of at least two referees.

The two-page synopsis should explain how the proposed work connects with the applicant’s previous research, particularly the doctoral project; how it contributes to the relevant ARI research cluster; and what publications are planned during the two-year appointment.

Project-specific Social Capital position

The additional project call requires a different combined PDF:

• curriculum vitae;
• a cover letter of no more than 800 words;
• academic transcripts; and
• one writing sample not exceeding 8,000 words.

The cover letter should explain the applicant’s research experience and suitability for the Social Capital in Singapore project.

How ARI Selects Fellows

Cluster fellowship selection

ARI’s current cluster calls emphasise the quality of the proposed research and publication plans, the applicant’s existing publication record, and the fit between the proposed work and the priorities of the selected research cluster.

Because a growing proportion of ARI funding comes from external sources, the advertisements also give preference to candidates who may contribute to competitive research-grant applications.

Shortlisted applicants are invited to an online interview with the relevant research leader or leaders. Candidates who do not receive communication within approximately ten weeks after the deadline may assume that the position has been filled.

Project-specific selection

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the Social Capital project position. Interviews may take place in person or by Zoom.

How to Apply for NUS ARI Postdoctoral Fellowships

For the five FY2027/28 cluster calls

1. Identify the ARI cluster that best matches your research.
2. Review that cluster’s current themes and recruitment priorities.
3. Prepare the maximum three-page CV.
4. Prepare the maximum two-page research synopsis.
5. Select at least one short published-work sample.
6. Provide details for at least two referees.
7. Combine the required documents into one PDF as instructed.
8. Use the NUS Careers link for the selected cluster.
9. Submit before the relevant 30 September or 9 October 2026 deadline.

For the Social Capital project position

1. Check your disciplinary and methodological fit with the project.
2. Prepare your CV and transcripts.
3. Write the maximum 800-word project-specific cover letter.
4. Select a writing sample of no more than 8,000 words.
5. Combine the documents into one PDF.
6. Submit through the separate NUS Careers vacancy by 30 September 2026.

Verified official application links are provided in the Official Sources section below.

CareerAidHub Applicant Guidance

Apply to a specific research problem

For the five cluster calls, selection explicitly considers research-cluster fit. A broad “Asia studies” proposal is less useful than one that directly engages with the priorities of the cluster advertising the fellowship.

Use the research synopsis for outputs, not only background

ARI specifically asks applicants to explain the relationship with prior doctoral work, contribution to the selected cluster and publication plans for the two-year appointment. Make all three elements easy to identify.

Do not reuse the cluster-fellowship application for the project opening

The Social Capital position requests a cover letter, transcripts and an 8,000-word maximum writing sample rather than the standard two-page cluster research synopsis. Treat it as a separate targeted application.

Show evidence of collaborative research

The current calls place explicit value on grant-development potential and collaborative research. Where supported by your record, identify experience with funded projects, interdisciplinary teams, research networks or external partners.

Plan Singapore accommodation independently

The cluster fellowship’s S$6,000 monthly remuneration is an all-in amount and university housing is not supplied. Applicants should consider private accommodation costs when evaluating the appointment.

Researchers comparing other programmes can browse CareerAidHub’s current postdoctoral fellowships, Singapore NRF Fellowship, and NUS Presidential Young Professorship.