At the University of Notre Dame, the Society of Science Fellows is a Postdoctoral Fellowship Program to support highly motivated and accomplished individuals who represent the best of the next generation of scientists.
These prestigious fellowships support early-career scientists pursuing research-intensive careers in universities, institutes, or industry. Society Fellows are appointed for three years, receive a stipend at or above the NRSA NIH postdoctoral pay scale , and benefit from individualized guidance from the College of Science Assistant Dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Applicants must identify a primary research mentor from one of the College of Science’s five departments. The primary mentor is responsible for providing research space, supplies, and travel support, including funding the fellow’s third year of the fellowship; should the fellowship continue beyond three years, the mentor is responsible for funding those additional years as well. Additional co-mentors may be appointed, provided they hold an appointment at the University of Notre Dame.
Monetary support will be coupled with faculty mentoring, professional development, and networking opportunities. Society Fellows will meet regularly with the Assistant Dean of Graduate and Postdoc Scholars to review their progress and discuss future plans every six months. Society Fellows also meet with one another regularly, forming a cohort through social and professional development activities. A sum of $10,000 will be placed under the control of the fellow to cover expenses related to training, professional development, and independent research endeavors. Specific advice on how to apply for and obtain jobs, and how to develop short- and long-term plans for career success will be an integral part of the program.
Our goal is to train postdoctoral fellows through a university-wide curriculum of workshops, panel discussions, seminars, and networking opportunities designed to advance research and lab management skills, grantsmanship, communication, academic and industry career exploration, as well as work/life and cultural considerations throughout the year. The Society Fellows are encouraged to apply for both internal and external funding to continue their research at Notre Dame.
The Society of Science Fellows program is part of Notre Dame’s broader Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Initiative, which gives fellows the flexibility to pursue ambitious, long-term projects that bridge multiple disciplines and to collaborate with colleagues at leading institutions worldwide. Fellows also become active contributors to their host departments, often introducing new research directions and mentoring graduate students along the way.
Preference will be given to applicants who have successfully completed (or plan to complete) a doctoral degree after June 2025 (or earlier dates if maternity or paternity leave, or Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave occurred within the past two years).
Applicants should submit the following via the Interfolio website:
Candidates must also arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be submitted via Interfolio. (Do not ask your letter writers to e-mail their letters directly.)
The application deadline is December 15, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST. Decisions around Feb 15th, 2027.
For questions or concerns about the submission process, please email sciencepostdocs@nd.edu.
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 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.
To support relocating families, Notre Dame’s Dual Career Assistance Program helps spouses and partners pursue local career opportunities.
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.
