Brandeis University, Legal Studies and Environmental Studies

Program ID:

Brandeis-Legal Studies and Environmental Studies-MHRLGLSENVS [#31593]

Program Title:

Madeleine Haas Russell Postdoctoral Fellow in Indigenous and Environmental Law

Program Type:

Fellowship or award

Program Location:

Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, United States of America

Subject Areas:

Environmental Racism
Legal Studies
Environmental Justice and Policy
environmental inequality
Indigenous Studies

Starting Date:

2026/07/01

Stipend:

64,000

Appl Deadline:

2026/02/20 11:59PM help popup

(posted 2026/01/28, listed until 2026/07/28)

Program Description:

The Brandeis University Legal Studies and Environmental Studies Programs invite applications for the Madeleine Haas Russell Postdoctoral Fellow in Indigenous and Environmental Law. This is a two-year appointment beginning in the Fall 2026 term, subject to budgetary approval. The Fellow will be jointly appointed in the undergraduate Legal Studies and Environmental Studies programs. Responsibilities include teaching two courses per academic year, which could include “Environmental Law and Policy” and “Indigenous Rights, Environmental Justice, and Federal Indian Law,” or closely related offerings. The Fellow will also deliver one academic lecture to the campus community during the appointment period. In addition to salary, the position includes moving expenses, a modest research fund, and mentorship from senior faculty in both programs. The programs seek a scholar whose research examines environmental law and policy in relation to climate change, environmental governance, and their impacts on communities, ecosystems, and legal systems. Particular areas of interest may include domestic or international environmental regulation, Indigenous land and resource governance, migration, human rights, litigation, or the institutional and legal responses to climate-related risks. Scholars employing doctrinal, empirical, historical, comparative, or interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged to apply. Research interests may include, but are not limited to: environmental and climate law; climate-related migration and conflict; environmental governance and adaptation; Indigenous legal responses to environmental change; environmental litigation and enforcement; or social, economic, and institutional impacts of climate risk. The programs welcome a range of methodological approaches, including quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods. Candidates must hold a JD or PhD in a relevant discipline in the social sciences or law by the start of the appointment. Brandeis University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. The University is committed to fostering excellence through accessible teaching, scholarship, and service, and encourages applications from candidates whose professional experiences and pedagogical approaches contribute to effective learning environments and broad student engagement. Application Materials Applicants should submit: 1. A cover letter (no more than three pages) describing research agenda, teaching experience and philosophy, and approaches to inclusive and effective teaching; 2. A curriculum vitae; 3. An article-length writing sample (published or unpublished); 4. Names and contact information for three professional references. Priority application deadline: February 20, 2026. Questions may be directed to the search committee chair, Rosalind Kabrhel (rkabrhel@brandeis.edu). In later stages of the search, selected candidates may be asked to submit letters of recommendation, provide evidence of teaching effectiveness, participate in virtual interviews, and deliver a virtual research lecture. Include the following: Brandeis University is an excellent employer for the same reasons it is an outstanding university: its dedication to academic excellence and its commitment to access, which sit at the core of Brandeis’ history and mission. We take pride not only in maintaining this culture, but in expanding it — by recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty who, through their scholarly pursuits, teaching and/or service experiences, bring expertise in building, engaging and sustaining a pluralistic, unified, and just campus community. Brandeis University is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class").

The university’s pay ranges represent a good faith estimate of what Brandeis reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience and education/training, internal peer equity, and applicable legal requirements. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The university’s pay ranges represent a good faith estimate of what Brandeis reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience and education/training, internal peer equity, and applicable legal requirements.

Brandeis University is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, caste, military or veteran status or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class").

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Application Materials Required:

Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:

Curriculum Vitae
A cover letter (no more than three pages) describing research agenda, teaching experience and philosophy, and approaches to inclusive and ef
An article-length writing sample (published or unpublished);
Names and contact information for three professional references.

And anything else requested in the program description.

Further Info:

Brandeis University
415 South Street
Waltham, MA 02453