Notre Dame Society of Science Fellows 2027: Postdoc Fellowship

Notre Dame Society of Science Fellows at a Glance

The Society of Science Fellows is a College of Science postdoctoral programme designed for highly accomplished early-stage researchers pursuing research-intensive careers in universities, research institutes or industry.

Fellows conduct research with a Notre Dame faculty mentor while receiving structured professional-development support, scientific mentoring and opportunities to build an independent research profile.

Who Is Eligible?

Notre Dame gives preference to applicants who have completed, or expect to complete, their doctoral degree after June 2025.

Earlier doctoral completion may be considered where maternity leave, paternity leave or Family and Medical Leave Act leave occurred during the previous two years.

Applicants should:

• hold or expect to complete a relevant doctoral degree;
• demonstrate strong potential for a research-intensive scientific career;
• identify an appropriate primary mentor in the Notre Dame College of Science;
• propose a credible research programme aligned with the chosen mentor and department; and
• show how the Society of Science Fellows programme will advance their career goals.

Choose a Primary Research Mentor

Applicants must identify a primary research mentor from one of Notre Dame College of Science’s five departments.

Additional co-mentors may be proposed where appropriate, provided they hold an appointment at the University of Notre Dame.

Mentor responsibilities

The primary mentor provides the research environment, including research space, supplies and travel support. The 2026–27 recruitment announcement assigns responsibility for third-year funding to the primary mentor. The faculty FAQ explains that actual allocation of funding across the appointment can be negotiated, with arrangements recorded in an institutional memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Stipend and Research Support

Postdoctoral compensation

Society Fellows receive a stipend at or above the NIH NRSA postdoctoral pay scale.

Because the NIH NRSA scale changes periodically and compensation may also reflect individual arrangements, applicants should not rely on an old fixed dollar figure.

Third-year funding arrangements

The 2026–27 recruitment announcement describes a three-year fellowship and states that the primary research mentor is responsible for funding the third year and any further extensions. Notre Dame’s faculty FAQ explains that central College, Provost or initiative support typically covers up to two years. Other sources, including external fellowships, mentor grants or startup funds, are needed for the remaining period.

The FAQ also allows alternative allocations across the three years, depending on the fellow and mentor’s circumstances; these are documented in an institutional MOU on appointment. Applicants should confirm the complete funding plan with the proposed mentor and College before accepting an offer. A three-year appointment must not be interpreted as an unconditional three-year centrally funded award.

$10,000 fellow-controlled fund

Each Society Fellow receives $10,000 under the fellow’s control for expenses connected with:

• training;
• professional development;
• independent research activities; and
• other appropriate career-development needs.

Research support from the mentor

Research space, supplies and research-related travel are primarily supported through the fellow’s host research mentor.

Mentoring and Professional Development

The fellowship combines scientific research with structured preparation for independent research careers.

Programme activities include development in areas such as:

• research and laboratory management;
• grant writing and grantsmanship;
• scientific communication;
• academic career preparation;
• industry career exploration;
• networking;
• leadership and professional skills; and
• work-life and cultural considerations.

Society Fellows meet regularly with College of Science postdoctoral leadership to review progress and future plans and also participate in cohort activities with other fellows.

External funding

Fellows are encouraged to pursue internal and external fellowships and research funding. This helps develop the grantsmanship and research-independence profile expected for future academic and research careers.

Teaching

Teaching is not presented as a mandatory core requirement of the Society of Science Fellows appointment. Notre Dame states that fellows may have opportunities to teach at Notre Dame and nearby institutions for those who want to develop their teaching portfolio.

Application Documents

Applications are submitted through the official Interfolio vacancy. Arrange the required confidential recommendation letters through Interfolio rather than requesting letters by email.

How to Apply

1. Identify your research area. Determine which of the five College of Science departments best fits your proposed work.
2. Identify a potential primary mentor. Review current Notre Dame faculty research before preparing the application.
3. Discuss scientific fit. Your proposed research should have a clear relationship to the host mentor’s expertise and infrastructure while maintaining your own research trajectory.
4. Prepare the cover letter. Explain why you are applying, how the programme advances your career and why Notre Dame is the right research environment.
5. Prepare the research statement. Describe previous accomplishments and the research you propose to conduct. Keep the statement within five pages excluding the bibliography.
6. Explain mentor selection. Identify the primary mentor and any proposed co-mentors and explain why each is important to the project.
7. Arrange at least three recommendations. Referees submit their letters through Interfolio.
8. Submit through Interfolio by 15 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

International Applicants

Notre Dame explicitly states that international applicants may apply and are encouraged to do so.

Following an appointment, the University’s international-services process determines the appropriate immigration route.

CareerAidHub Applicant Guidance

Choose the mentor before writing the final research plan

Mentor selection is part of the application itself. Your proposal should clearly explain why Notre Dame offers scientific capabilities, methods or collaborations that are necessary for the project.

Show independence without disconnecting from the host lab

A competitive proposal should build on your doctoral expertise while identifying a new research direction that can realistically be developed with the selected Notre Dame mentor.

Use the $10,000 fund strategically

Think beyond conference travel. Training in a new methodology, specialist research visits, pilot studies, datasets or technical workshops can help demonstrate a deliberate plan toward research independence.

Make your three-year trajectory visible

Explain what should be achieved in the first year, what research outputs should mature in the second and how the fellowship will position you for independent funding or the next career transition.

Researchers can also explore CareerAidHub’s postdoctoral fellowships and research opportunities.