Postdoctoral Fellow, Educating Character Initiative

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Job Description Summary

Wake Forest University invites applications for two postdoctoral
research fellowships with the Educating Character Initiative (ECI),
housed within the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake
Forest University. The anticipated start date is July 1,
2027.

The postdoctoral fellow will join the ECI research team to study
character development in higher education. Our team investigates
questions about the nature of character and how this can be
assessed, predictors and outcomes of character development, and how
higher education stakeholders view intentional efforts to promote
students’ character development. We welcome applications from
candidates with expertise in any discipline relevant to research
related to character, virtue, moral and intellectual development
and/or higher education.

The successful candidate will coauthor scholarly papers using
several existing datasets and help coordinate a new data collection
project, the Communities of Character Study.

Communities of Character includes two phases: an initial,
qualitative phase, involving interviews with students, staff, and
faculty at a select group of colleges and universities, and a
second, quantitative phase involving a longitudinal survey of
college students and peers who are not enrolled in higher
education. The overarching aim of the project is to study how
communities both inside and outside of formal educational settings
shape individuals’ character development.

These positions are available on a one-year contractual basis, with
the possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of
funding. Candidates who wish to work remotely will be considered,
subject to University review and approval. This position is not
eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status
through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are
encouraged to apply.

To apply, please provide (1) a cover letter detailing your relevant
expertise and interest in the position, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3)
a scholarly writing sample or published article; and (4) a list of
at least three professional references, including at least one
current or former supervisor.

Review of applications will begin January 22, 2027, and the
position will remain open until filled.

Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Coauthor journal articles and conference papers with other

members of the ECI research team

• Contribute, as applicable, to the qualitative phase of the

Communities of Character Study

• Help design and conduct the quantitative phase of the

Communities of Character Study

• Support technical proposal preparation for developing new

projects and securing grant funding

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• PhD (by start date) in Psychology, Sociology, Education, or

another social science discipline

• Strong quantitative research skills, including survey

methodology, statistical modeling, and analysis of large or
multi-level datasets, with a focus on character, virtue, moral
development, higher education, and/or related areas

• Demonstrated ability to write for peer-reviewed academic

publication, evidenced by a strong publication record

• Outstanding skills in interpersonal communication, scientific

writing, and effective time management

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a

cooperative team setting

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience with qualitative research methods, including

interview design, coding, and thematic analysis

• Experience designing or fielding original survey

instruments

• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including

the ability to juggle competing demands, work efficiently, and
deliver high quality work while adhering to deadlines

• Openness to feedback and a commitment to personal and

professional growth

Accountabilities:

• Report to Managing Director, Communities of Impact
• Work under Research team direction
• Perform tasks under minimal supervision
• Responsible for their own work

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting and

standing

• Some travel may be required

Environmental Conditions:

• No adverse environmental conditions expected

For additional information, please contact ECI@wfu.edu .

About Wake Forest University and ECI:

Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational institution
dedicated to academic excellence in liberal arts, graduate and
professional education. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina,
the University has an institutional commitment to public service
and engagement with the world, as indicated by the motto Pro
Humanitate (for humanity), which encourages students to develop the
qualities of human character needed to serve humanity. With the aim
to educate the whole person, the University has established an
innovative Program for Leadership and Character that plans
creative, liberal arts-based programming to help students develop
the virtues of character needed to lead in an increasingly complex
world.

The Educating Character Initiative (ECI) seeks to catalyze a
movement for character education at colleges and universities
across the United States. Through our work in grantmaking,
collective learning, and community engagement, we equip
institutions of higher education with the funding, resources, and
support necessary to integrate character into their distinctive
institutional contexts, curricula, and cultures. Our broad
aspiration is to enable institutions of higher education to become
communities of character that form students, staff, and faculty to
act with character and for the common good.

For quick facts about the University, see http://www.wfu.edu/visitors/quickfacts.html
.

For more on the Program for Leadership and Character, see
https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/
.

For more on the ECI, see https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/eci/
.

Disclaimer:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and
expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job
tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are
required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform
job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the employee’s
supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living
community, Wake Forest University conducts background
investigations and drug screens for all final candidates being
considered for employment.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all
qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color,
religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender
identity and expression, genetic information, disability and
military or veteran status. If you are an individual with a
disability and need an accommodation to participate in the
application or interview process, please contact askHR@wfu.edu .

This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant
or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All
eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

Full time Note to Applicant:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and
expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job
tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are
required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform
job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her
supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living
community, Wake Forest University conducts background
investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates
being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all
qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color,
religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender
identity and expression, genetic information, disability and
military or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an
accommodation to participate in the application or interview
process, please contact AskHR@wfu.edu or (336) 758-4700.