Educational Initiatives, Assistant Director (EXPIRED)

The Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study seeks to hire a full-time Educational Initiatives, Assistant Director. The initial appointment is term-limited (through June 15, 2023) as we aim to sustainably build out this program within our Institute.

About the Institute: The Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study (NDIAS) promotes issue-engaged, inclusive, and interdisciplinary study of questions that affect our ability to lead valuable, meaningful lives. Each year, the NDIAS convenes a diverse group of faculty fellows, affiliates, PhD students, and undergraduate RAs to participate in a residential research community, with topics organized around an annual theme. The NDIAS also organizes regular academic programming—including research seminars, retreats, public lectures, and conferences. Our 2020-21 theme is The Nature of Trust. The 2021-22 theme is Resilience.

This Assistant Director will be responsible for developing and directing four initiatives under the auspices of the Institute:

1. The Undergraduate Research Fellows (URF) Program: Recruiting, selecting and mentoring our group of undergraduate research assistants; designing and leading a weekly developmental seminar for the URF cohort; connecting the students with meaningful research apprenticeship opportunities within the Institute; advising independent research projects; identifying and evaluating best practices in educating undergraduates about research practices.

2. The Distinguished PhD Fellows Program: Leading recruitment and selection for a competitive single year PhD fellowship program for Notre Dame students; working closely with the Director to design and implement a weekly research seminar program for the cohort; supervising and mentoring fellows as they complete externships within the Institute; working with campus partners to align and implement best practices for professional development for PhD students; organizing events to build mentorship networks for each of the selected PhD Fellows.

3. NDIAS Educational Initiatives: Facilitating the creation and implementation of “pop-up” courses led by Institute research fellows; working with campus partners to identify and implement best practices in designing interdisciplinary courses with a focus on ethical issues; providing support to the Director and Associate Director in developing new educational initiatives based on the Institute’s mission.

4. Program Development: Collaborating with the Director, Associate Director, and university partners to write grants in support of educational initiatives associated with the Institute.

We require a candidate with at least a bachelor’s degree in an academic discipline related to the Institute’s mission (humanities, social sciences, or science engaged with social issues) with a preference for a doctoral degree in one of those areas. We are seeking a professional with demonstrated passion for fostering research communities, skill at student mentorship, experience with creative and best-practice aligned course design, and potential to work collaboratively to design and implement interdisciplinary programs that transform student learning.