Love Ethic Faculty Fellowship - Notre Dame Institute for Ethics and the Common Good

University of Notre Dame; Notre-Dame; On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Notre Dame Institute for Ethics and the Common Good invites applications for its Faculty Fellowship program for 2026-27. This fellowship is aimed at scholars engaged in research on love-based ethical frameworks, offering a generous salary and various benefits, while encouraging interdisciplinary participation from academics and independent researchers.

Benefits

Housing subsidy

Research allowance of $1,000

Private office at ECG

Qualifications

• Conduct substantial research on love-based ethical frameworks.
• Open to diverse academic disciplines including philosophy, theology, psychology, etc.

Responsibilities

• Participate in weekly seminars and present research.
• Engage with the academic community on related projects.

Skills

Research skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Doctoral degree or equivalent

Job description

The Notre Dame Institute for Ethics and the Common Good (ECG) invites applications for its 2026–27 Faculty Fellowship program. Sponsored by a transformative grant from the John Templeton Foundation, we are seeking five scholars to join a vibrant, interdisciplinary cohort dedicated to advancing research on love-based ethical frameworks.

For futher explanation of this topic, including a list of potential research topics related to it, please see https://ethics.nd.edu/fellowships-and-grants/faculty/.

In 2026-27, one Faculty Fellowship will be co-sponsored by the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies. This fellowship will fund a project that connects with the topic above from a perspective in Asian studies.

Faculty Fellows receive half their base salary per academic year (up to $80,000), a housing subsidy (for those who currently reside outside of the South Bend area), a research allowance of $1,000, and a private office at ECG. Fellows' home institutions provide the remainder of their salaries as well as all benefits, including health insurance.

The program is open to U.S. and international faculty at any career stage, from assistant to full professor. The fellowship is also open to independent scholars, journalists, artists, and others whose work aligns meaningfully with the fellowship theme.

Note: Postdocotral candidates working on love-based ethical frameworks should apply through a separate application page. The Love Ethic Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is similar to the program described below but includes a few key differences.

Qualifications

Faculty Fellowships are open to scholars who are conducting a substantial research project related to love-based ethical frameworks.

Note: Scholars seeking a faculty fellowship who are working on faith-based ethical approaches to powerful AI should apply here.

Applicants from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, including—but not limited to—philosophy, theology, psychology, sociology, political science, law, literature, and the arts.

While most Faculty Fellows hold academic appointments at colleges or universities, the fellowship is also open to independent scholars, journalists, artists, and others whose work aligns meaningfully with the fellowship theme.

The majority of fellowships will be awarded to scholars external to the University of Notre Dame. However, Notre Dame faculty are eligible to apply, and a limited number of fellowships may be awarded to applicants from within the university.

Note: Postdoctoral scholars and advanced graduate students working on love-based ethics should apply through a separate application page.

We welcome applications from scholars who are based outside the U.S. We also welcome applications from scholars from a variety of faith and cultural traditions.

Fellows are expected to be in residence for the full academic year (August through May). Semester-long fellowships are generally not available.

All Faculty Fellows are expected to reside in the South Bend area and to remain in residence at the University of Notre Dame during the period of their fellowship (except for vacation periods, holidays, and University breaks).

Faculty Fellows are expected to be free of their regular commitments and to have their primary office at the Institute so they may devote themselves full time to the work outlined in their research proposal and participate fully in the community of scholars at the Institute.

Faculty Fellows are also expected to attend weekly seminars, present their research twice during these seminars, and attend ECG retreats, communications workshops, and other special events.

Application Instructions

Applications for Faculty Fellowships must be submitted through Interfolio and should include the following:

• Completed online application form
• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae (no more than four pages, single-spaced)
• Proposal abstract (no more than 400 words)
• Fellowship research proposal (no more than six pages double-spaced; research proposals may include a works-cited or bibliography page, which does not count toward the six-page limit). In the research proposal, applicants should provide an explanation of the project they intend to pursue at ECG, including:
• How the proposed research aligns with the research theme and mission of the Institute
• Preliminary objectives for the research to be conducted (i.e., whether the research might result in a book, journal article, art work, etc.)
• The proposed work plan (including what research or work has already been accomplished, what will be done during the fellowship period, the methodology to be employed, and the organization of the scholarly project, book, or other work)
• Public-engagement proposal (no more than two pages, double-spaced). In the public-engagement proposal, applicants should explain how they plan to engage a public audience with their proposed research project (e.g., through a newspaper op-ed, public discussion, podcast episode, etc.).
• Two letters of reference. The letters should address the strength of the applicant’s proposed research project, its fit with the 2026-2027 research theme, and the applicant’s collaborative potential and collegiality. (See FAQ page for common questions about letters of reference.)
• (Optional) Up to two pages of non-text materials supporting the research proposal
  

Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of their potential for research impact, fit with the theme, and fit with the Institute’s mission.

Finalists will be asked to be available for a brief Zoom conversation with committee members during the final stage of the selection process.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace. We strongly encourage applications from female and minority candidates and those candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and requires affirmative action by covered contractors to employ and advance veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities in compliance with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a).

Background Check

This appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Applicants will be asked to identify all felony convictions and/or pending felony charges. Felony convictions do not automatically bar an individual from employment. Each case will be examined separately to determine the appropriateness of employment in the particular position. Failure to be forthcoming or dishonesty with respect to felony disclosures can result in the disqualification of a candidate. The full procedure can be viewed at https://facultyhandbook.nd.edu/?id=link-73597.