One three-year, Postdoctoral Research Position in Theology
The University of Notre Dame's newly ratified Center for Theology, Science, and Human
Flourishing will start its activities in August 2015 under the direction of Prof. Celia
Deane-Drummond. The University of Notre Dame invites applications for one three-year
postdoctoral research appointment in theology, funded by the Templeton Religion Trust,
to begin January 2016. The successful candidate will both be part of a multi-disciplinary
team (including psychology, history and philosophy of science, and other scholars from
science & technology studies) examining the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral
dispositions that are cultivated by the practice of laboratory research in biology and how
those dispositions might strengthen or impede human flourishing in non-scientific
domains. Operating under the rubric “Developing Virtues in the Practice of Science,” the
$3.1 million project funded by the generosity of the Templeton Religion Trust,
conceptualizes these dispositions as virtues/vices in order to make connections to existing
literature in psychology, theology, virtue ethics, and virtue epistemology.
Responsibilities of the post include: conducting bibliographic research and literature
reviews relevant to the project in theology and virtue ethics; using theological expertise
to inform the design and analysis of field research (psychological and ethnographic);
developing and pursuing independent lines of theological research relevant to the project;
presenting individual and team research in professional and public forums;
collaboratively designing and teaching one or more undergraduate courses related to the
project; contributing to project colloquia (Notre Dame, IN, 2016; Durham, UK, 2017)
and the international conference (London, 2018).
The ideal candidate will have a PhD in theology, with a focus on virtues, including
philosophical aspects, strong interest in collaborating with experts from multiple
disciplines, and expertise or interests in several of the following fields: science and
religion, history and philosophy of biology, science and values, science and ethics, virtue
ethics, virtue epistemology, studies of scientific practices.
Starting salary is $48,000 plus benefits and up to $5,000 per year in research funding.
Applicants should submit a single pdf containing a cover letter explaining your research
interests and potential connections to the project, a c.v., and a writing sample
to ctshf@nd.edu Three letters of recommendation should be sent separately (or via a
dossier service) to the same address. Review of applications will begin Aug 15th and
continue until the position is filled. The University of Notre Dame is an affirmative
action employer with a strong commitment to fostering a culturally diverse atmosphere
for faculty, staff, and students.