Faith and AI Postdoctoral Fellowship

University of Notre Dame • Notre Dame, IN

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Institute for Ethics and the Common Good (ECG), in collaboration with the Ethics Initiative (EI) and the Global Catholic Research Initiative (GCRI), is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to conduct research on faith-based ethical approaches to artificial intelligence (AI). This fellowship focuses on the Catholic Church's teachings and their pastoral applications concerning human formation and flourishing in the context of technological advancements. The program welcomes proposals from scholars across various disciplines, including theology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, political science, and history, who are working on significant research projects related to this theme. The fellowship is open to both U.S. and international postdoctoral researchers.

Requirements

• Scholars who are conducting a serious research project related to faith and AI within a global Catholic tradition.
• Applicants from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, including—but not limited to—theology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, political science, and history.
• Candidates should have completed all Ph.D. requirements by June 1, 2026.
• Candidates should be within five years of earning their degree.
• Fellows are expected to be in residence at Notre Dame for the full fellowship period (July 2026 through June 2027 in the first instance).
• The postdoctoral fellow is expected to reside in the South Bend area and to remain in residence at the University of Notre Dame during the period of the fellowship (July 2026 - June 2027), except for vacation periods, holidays, and University breaks.
• The fellow is expected to be free of their regular commitments 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 EI/ECG and GCRI.
• The fellow will spend approximately three days per week with ECG and two days per week with GCRI.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated capacity to engage the public on themes around the Church and/or emerging technology.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a substantial research project on the Catholic Church’s teaching on AI from a global perspective.
• Serve as a liaison between EI/ECG and GCRI on the shared research theme of faith-based ethical approaches to AI.
• Provide administrative leadership for a major conference in Rome focused on Pope Leo XIV’s forthcoming encyclical on AI, incorporating the DELTA framework.
• Develop and/or curate DELTA-framed curricular resources for faith communities.
• Participate in weekly ECG seminars and present research twice during the academic year.
• Attend ECG retreats, special events, and engage regularly with fellows and leaders.
• Serve as an ambassador for GCRI and contribute to its postdoctoral community.

Benefits

• $80,000 each year in salary
• $1,000 each year in dedicated research funds
• Notre Dame benefits
• Participation in a vibrant interdisciplinary community
• Regular seminars and collaborative events with ECG and GCRI
• Robust programming to further explore faith-based approaches to powerful AI and cultivate collaboration, such as work-in-progress seminars, conferences, research workshops, guest lectures, and social events.
• Regular programming from GCRI exploring how Catholics, Catholic institutions, and the intellectual, social, artistic, and cultural expressions of Catholic life have circulated—and continue to circulate—across regions, nations, and cultures.

What This Job Offers

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