Assistant Dean for Postdoctoral Affairs

University of Notre Dame • Notre Dame, IN

10h • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Notre Dame Graduate School is seeking a highly motivated, collaborative, and process-minded Assistant Dean to direct the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. The role provides strategic, administrative, and operational leadership for campus activities involving postdoctoral scholars and advances the University’s efforts to provide exceptional postdoctoral training and support. The Assistant Dean reports to the Graduate School Associate Dean for Professional Development and supervises the Program Coordinator.

The position oversees postdoctoral scholar and non-faculty research appointment processes; collaborates with Human Resources, General Counsel, International Student & Scholar Affairs, hiring departments, colleges, and campus units; and leads communications, policy support, professional development, community-building, data collection and reporting, benchmarking, and process improvement. The role is based on site in South Bend, Indiana.

Requirements

• Ph.D., J.D., or Ed.D.
• 3–4 years of experience as a postdoctoral scholar or working with postdoctoral scholars.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Strong facilitation skills.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strategic planning skills.
• Managerial experience.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Project management skills.
• Experience facilitating training sessions or other large-group meetings.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of OnBase, Banner, Personnel Actions, or Interfolio.

Responsibilities

• Direct the operations of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
• Oversee and help administer appointment processes for postdoctoral scholars and non-faculty research positions.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, General Counsel, International Student & Scholar Affairs, and hiring departments to optimize workflows.
• Manage program communications, including newsletters and website updates.
• Supervise the Program Coordinator and guide day-to-day responsibilities and key deliverables.
• Partner with colleges and campus units to streamline administrative support and strengthen institutional partnerships.
• Coordinate the campus-wide Postdoctoral Scholar Working Group.
• Launch and support an advisory committee for postdoctoral scholars.
• Assist University leaders in developing policies regarding postdoctoral scholars.
• Assist postdoctoral scholars in resolving administrative challenges.
• Design, manage, and facilitate professional development, leadership, and ethics programming in collaboration with Graduate School stakeholders.
• Coordinate the Annual Notre Dame Postdoc Spotlight competition.
• Partner with colleges and campus units to deliver coordinated programming for postdoctoral scholars.
• Develop and present new professional development initiatives.
• Co-host the annual scholars’ holiday reception.
• Direct data collection, analysis, and reporting to guide strategic decisions and measure program effectiveness.
• Administer entrance and exit surveys.
• Manage collection of the Postdoctoral Scholar Annual Report and report resulting data to stakeholders.
• Conduct ad hoc reporting and analysis.
• Assess and modify current activities and processes as needed, benchmark other universities, and develop initiatives in response to college and program needs.
• Engage with regional and national working groups and research and incorporate peer-institution best practices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree