Institution: Villa I Tatti – The Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies
Deadline: 16 January 2026
Location: Florence, Italy
Salary: $65,000 per year, plus a one-time relocation supplement up to $1,500 and up to $5,000 annually for conference and research support
Overview
Villa I Tatti offers a position of Post-Doctoral Fellowship and Assistant to the Director for the academic years 2026–2028 with one year renewal possibility. The candidate will be an art historian of the later medieval and/or early modern period (1300–1700), including the historiography and impact of the Italian Renaissance in the Modern Era (19th–21st centuries).
The successful candidate will spend approximately half of the time working on his/her own project, chosen to be in keeping with I Tatti’s own academic agenda and research profile. The other half of this individual’s time will be spent working closely with the director and with key staff members to organize and coordinate academic programs, be a key liaison with resident appointees and other academic visitors to the villa, and to contribute wherever necessary to build community and ensure the smooth academic operation of the institute.
This position is located at I Tatti in Florence, Italy, and is for an initial term of two years, with the possibility of an extension of a third year.
Major responsibilities for program coordination
Liaison with fellows
Principal liaison for resident fellows (both full and part-year) concerning academic programs and scholarly activities, as well as daily life at the villa. Supports the Director in diverse functions, including the full year and short-term fellowships application process. Collaborates with staff both on-site and in the Cambridge (USA) office, and coordinates information flow and activities related to the fellows.
Program organization
-
Coordinates and organizes aspects of academic programming, from planning through implementation. These include Thursday Seminars, Fellow Presentations, Harvard Graduate Seminars, occasional informal presentations, studio visits with Visiting Artists, object-based workshops, visits to sites and museums.
-
Serves as lead coordinator and primary liaison for the Harvard Undergraduate Summer Internship Program.
-
Coordinates project implementation with the Assistant to the Director for Conferences and Publications and with Harvard University departments, coordinating undergraduate and graduate internships and seminars.
-
Develops detailed project plans, including the overall annual schedule of programs, as well as budgets for the various other institutional activities.
-
For certain academic grants, compiles and organizes materials, composes narrative, and prepares applications for review by the Director, prior to submission.
Terms
Post-Doctoral Fellows are offered a study, use of the Biblioteca Berenson, lunches on weekdays, and various other privileges. The total stipend for this position is $65,000 per year, plus a one-time supplement (maximum $1,500) towards relocation expenses. Financial assistance for conference and research (max. $5,000 annually).
An Italian fixed term part-time employment contract with health benefits will be provided. The candidate is required to be in residence in Florence during the academic year (1 September to 30 June). During the summer (July and August), the candidate is expected to keep up with necessary duties in preparation for the year to follow.
Basic qualifications
Ph.D. in Art History; fluency in English, both written and oral, and proficiency (written and oral) in Italian. Applicants should be in the early stages of their career, having received a PhD between 2014–2024.
Additional qualifications
Demonstrated scholarly interests in Renaissance studies; strong academic sensibility and career orientation; excellent communication skills, both written and oral; previous work experience with humanities-based academic programs and events desired; demonstrated ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative environment and with all levels within the academic and scholarly spheres; demonstrated ability to plan and manage projects.
How to apply
Applicants should send a CV and a project description in a single PDF file to info@itatti.harvard.edu. Please also arrange for two letters of reference to be sent directly to the same address (with the candidate’s name in the subject line).
