University of Notre Dame’s Society of Science Fellows

The Society of Science Fellows at the University of Notre Dame represents one of the institution’s most strategic efforts to foster the careers of emerging scientists. Designed as a postdoctoral bridge between doctoral study and long-term faculty appointments, this program combines rigorous research opportunities with professional development resources. Fellows receive a two-year appointment, during which they are supported by a stipend aligned with the NIH NRSA pay scale. In addition, the program includes a one-time $10,000 professional development allowance, providing flexibility for training, travel, or seed funding for research initiatives. With proper planning and secured funding, fellows may extend their appointment to a third year, ensuring adequate time to establish a strong academic portfolio.

The Society of Science Fellows at the University of Notre Dame offers early-career scientists competitive funding, professional development, and mentorship. This program provides a unique pathway to build independent research profiles, secure external grants, and prepare for impactful careers in leading academic and research institutions across the world.

Program Overview and Research Focus

The Society of Science Fellows is carefully structured to attract high-potential researchers who demonstrate readiness for independent inquiry. Unlike traditional postdoctoral appointments that may confine fellows to narrow projects, Notre Dame emphasizes intellectual independence alongside collaborative engagement.

Fellows are embedded in a supportive academic environment with access

to Notre Dame’s advanced laboratories, libraries, and interdisciplinary research centers. They are encouraged to explore bold ideas while also integrating with ongoing projects in the College of Science. By balancing independence with collaboration, the fellowship fosters researchers who can compete for faculty positions at leading universities and research institutions.

Additional benefits include:

Mentorship tailored to career goals, ensuring fellows receive guidance on publishing strategies, grant writing, and long-term research vision.
Teaching opportunities within Notre Dame’s undergraduate and graduate programs, enabling fellows to develop pedagogical skills essential for faculty careers.
Networking opportunities through workshops, panels, and conferences that connect fellows with internal and external collaborators.

Fellowship Terms and Financial Support

Duration and Extensions

The standard appointment is two years, providing sufficient time for fellows to strengthen their research portfolio and publish significant work. Importantly, a third-year extension is possible if the fellow secures external grants or internal funding support. This incentive structure ensures that fellows actively pursue funding opportunities, a skill critical for faculty success.

Stipend Framework

Compensation is aligned with the NIH NRSA postdoctoral pay scale, which scales with years of prior experience. This ensures fellows receive salaries competitive with national benchmarks.

The program also includes a $10,000 one-time professional development award. This allowance is flexible: it can fund research travel, specialized workshops, laboratory supplies, or pilot projects that expand a

fellow’s research capacity. Importantly, this funding supplements mentor support, meaning fellows benefit from both institutional and departmental resources.

Supplemental Support

Faculty mentors may enhance offers with additional benefits, such as relocation support or salary supplements. This flexibility allows Notre Dame to remain competitive in recruiting the most promising postdoctoral candidates worldwide.

Responsibilities and Development Opportunities

The Society of Science Fellows emphasizes balanced development—fellows are not only researchers but also educators and future academic leaders.

Core Responsibilities

- Independent Research: Fellows are expected to define and pursue their own projects while aligning with mentor expertise.
- Collaboration: Integration with faculty and peers is encouraged to maximize cross-disciplinary innovation.
- Professional Development: Attendance at workshops on grant writing, communication, and academic leadership is mandatory.

Teaching and Training

Fellows may participate in undergraduate or graduate teaching assignments. These experiences strengthen instructional abilities while demonstrating versatility to future employers.

Grant Acquisition and Sustainability

Another core responsibility is the pursuit of external research funding. Fellows are trained and supported in writing competitive proposals, a skill crucial for securing tenure-track positions.

Through these diverse responsibilities, the fellowship nurtures scholars capable of thriving in competitive academic markets (TealHQ).

Eligibility and Application Insights

style="text-align: justify;">The program is targeted at early-career researchers, typically within two years of earning a PhD in the sciences. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional potential, a clear research agenda, and a willingness to contribute to Notre Dame’s scientific community.

Key points include:

- Doctoral Completion: Applicants should have earned a PhD before the fellowship start date.
- Postdoctoral Experience: Preference is given to those without prior Notre Dame postdoctoral appointments, ensuring fresh perspectives.
- International Participation: Scholars from outside the United States are eligible. Visa processing is managed by Notre Dame’s International Services Office.

This inclusivity broadens the fellowship’s reach, attracting a diverse pool of scholars from around the globe.

Advantages of the Fellowship

The Notre Dame fellowship stands out due to its comprehensive support ecosystem. Fellows enjoy:

- Competitive Financial Support: Salaries aligned with national standards plus a research allowance.
- Customized Mentorship: Personalized career guidance from faculty and administrative leaders.
- Skill Development: Training in teaching, grant writing, and communication.
- Professional Visibility: Opportunities to present research across internal and external platforms.
- Research Autonomy: Freedom to pursue independent projects
  
  while benefiting from institutional resources.

Together, these features create a fellowship designed not merely as a transitional appointment but as a launchpad toward impactful careers.

Crafting a Standout Application

Given the program’s competitiveness, applicants should prepare strategically:

1. Demonstrate Research Excellence: Showcase publications, conference presentations, and innovative projects.
2. Highlight Independence: Explain how your work complements but does not duplicate mentor research.
3. Plan for Funding: Provide a clear outline of future grant applications, showing awareness of sustainability.
4. Articulate Fit: Explain why Notre Dame’s resources, faculty, and mission are uniquely aligned with your goals.

A well-structured application should balance ambition with feasibility, reflecting both scholarly promise and practical planning.

Program Highlights Table

Feature	Detail
Program Name	Society of Science Fellows, University of Notre Dame
Host Country	United States
Funded By	University of Notre Dame
Duration	Two years, extendable to three with secured funding
Study Mode	Full-time, in-person
Eligibility	Recent PhD graduates (ideally within two years), open to international applicants
Financial Support	NIH NRSA-aligned stipend, plus $10,000 one-time professional development allowance
Fields of Study	Broad scientific disciplines across the College of Science
Deadline	December 15, 2025
Official Website	Notre Dame Society of Science Fellows

Final Thoughts

The Society of Science Fellows at the University of Notre Dame stands as a premier postdoctoral program that blends financial stability, research freedom, and structured professional development. By combining independent inquiry with mentorship and career training, the fellowship positions scientists to secure faculty roles and long-term research funding.

For early-career researchers committed to building impactful academic careers, this fellowship provides both the resources and the environment to succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Society of Science Fellows postdoc at Notre Dame?

It’s a two-year, in-residence postdoctoral program offering NIH-aligned stipend support, mentorship, professional development, and optional teaching to accelerate independent research careers.

How long does the fellowship last, and can it extend?

The standard term is two years. However, with secured external or internal funding, fellows may request a third-year extension.

What financial support do fellows receive?

Fellows earn a stipend aligned with the NIH NRSA scale and, additionally, a one-time $10,000 professional development allowance for training, travel, or pilot research.

Who is eligible to apply for this fellowship?

Recent Ph.D. graduates in scientific disciplines may apply. Moreover, international candidates are eligible, subject to university visa processes.

Does the program require teaching?

Teaching isn’t always required; however, fellows may teach undergraduate or graduate courses to strengthen pedagogy and the academic dossier.

What professional development does Notre Dame provide?

Fellows receive workshops and mentoring in grantsmanship, publication strategy, communication, leadership, and lab management, thereby building faculty-ready skills.

Can fellows pursue fully independent research projects?

Yes. Fellows lead independent projects while, importantly, collaborating with faculty and centers across Notre Dame’s College of Science.

Is grant writing expected during the fellowship?

Yes. Fellows are encouraged—and trained—to pursue external funding, which supports research momentum and potential third-year extension requests.

What resources and facilities are available to fellows?

Fellows access advanced laboratories, core facilities, libraries, and interdisciplinary centers, ensuring strong infrastructure for ambitious research agendas.

How competitive is the selection process?

It’s highly competitive. Therefore, strong publications, clear independence, a credible funding plan, and demonstrated fit with Notre Dame significantly improve outcomes.

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