Three-year, Postdoctoral Research Position in History & Philosophy of Science
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 Center invites applications for a three-year postdoctoral research
appointment funded by the Templeton Religion Trust in the History & Philosophy of
Science (HPS) to begin January 2016.
The successful candidate will be part of a multi-disciplinary team (including
psychologists, theologians, and other scholars from science & technology studies)
examining the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dispositions that are associated with
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,” this $3.1 million project funded
by 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 HPS, virtue ethics, and virtue epistemology; using HPS
expertise to inform the design and analysis of field research (psychological and
ethnographic); developing and pursuing independent lines of HPS 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 conference (London, 2018).
The ideal candidate will have a PhD in the history and/or philosophy of science, strong
interest in collaborating with experts from multiple disciplines, and expertise or interests
in several of the following fields: history and philosophy of biology, science and values,
science and religion, 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.