Postdoctoral Fellow, Communities of Impact, Educating Character Initiative

• Navigate to the "My Experience" application page.
• Locate the "Resume/CV" document upload section at the bottom of the page.
• Use the "Select Files" button to upload your cover letter, resume, and any other required supporting documents. You can select multiple files.

• Design, conduct, and disseminate original research on character or character education.
• Collaborate with ECI and Program for Leadership and Character scholars as well as partner institutions to produce a range of scholarly and practice-oriented resources (e.g., books, articles, workbooks, research studies, discussion guides, survey instruments, and op-eds) that advance understanding of how to educate character across diverse institutional, cultural, and disciplinary contexts.
• Partner with external survey organizations and ECI colleagues to design, implement, and analyze two major national surveys of faculty/staff and students in higher education.
• Contribute to the development of survey instruments and items that assess character, character formation, formative practices, and institutional cultures.
• Help interpret survey findings to generate new insights, inform collaborative initiatives, and support the larger movement for character in higher education.
• Collect, curate, and synthesize research, resources, and data generated by partner institutions and communities of practice to advance collective learning.
• Develop frameworks and methodologies that integrate empirical data with qualitative insights from communities of practice.
• Evaluate and document the impact of collaborative initiatives across the ECI Community.
• Present findings and resources through conferences, symposia, publications, and publicly-engaged presentation to expand awareness of the role and power of character-building efforts for undergraduate students in the US.

• Contribute to the development, coordination, and implementation of communities of impact dedicated to character education, fostering collaboration and shared learning across colleges, universities, and higher-education serving organizations and networks.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with faculty, staff, and emerging leaders at partner institutions to cultivate networks of mutual learning and support.
• Design or contribute to workshops and professional learning sessions that support communities of practice in developing practical resources to support character-focused initiatives on college and university campuses.
• Collaborate on the creation and dissemination of high-quality, accessible, and adaptable resources (e.g., guides, toolkits, case studies, and models of practice) that equip educators for contextualized character-building efforts in distinct institutional contexts.
• Support the planning and execution of convenings and gatherings that strengthen collaboration across communities of practice and the broader ECI Community.
• Work with the ECI staff to support emerging leaders in coordinating and sustaining character education initiatives at their institutions and within broader higher education communities.
• Assist with grant reporting, documentation, and storytelling that communicate outcomes, insights, and the impact of this initiative to partners and stakeholders at Wake Forest University and beyond.

• Ph.D. or Ed.D. in a relevant academic discipline (including, but not limited to, higher education, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, political science, psychology, or religious studies).
• Record of scholarly research and/or programming related to virtue, character, character education, and/or the moral and intellectual development of college students.
• Candidates with expertise in liberal arts or humanities disciplines must demonstrate scholarly engagement with bodies of literature on virtue, character, character education, moral education, moral psychology, higher education or related topics as a core component of their research agenda.
• Candidates with expertise in social sciences must demonstrate experience with research, assessment, and/or program evaluation, preferably related to virtue, character, character education, moral education, higher education, moral psychology, or related topics. Additionally, they should demonstrate both quantitative and qualitative research skills and a track record indicative of a promising publication record in their relevant discipline. There is a strong preference for expertise in mixed-method research design, assessment planning, and data analysis.

• Contribute to multiple research and scholarly investigations simultaneously.
• Publish rigorous academic research in respected journals and publications.
• Initiate projects and work independently.
• Collaborate with program staff, other postdoctoral fellows, and research assistants to conduct, analyze, and disseminate co-authored research.
• Contribute to the collection, analysis, and management of complex datasets.
• Develop short- and long-term research goals.
• Set priorities and effectively manage time and resources.
• Exercise discretion and keep sensitive information confidential.
• Positively influence colleagues and develop collaborative relationships with a wide range of people.
• Learn more about character education and apply that knowledge to inform the design and implementation of character-building initiatives across the landscape of higher education.
• Ability to work constructively on teams and in cross-institutional collaborations, including excellent organizational, administrative, and interpersonal skills, with accuracy and attention to detail; effective and thoughtful communication with people across multiple institutions, disciplines, and skill sets; and a clear commitment to building community with a wide range of individuals at Wake Forest University, across the ECI Community, and beyond.
• Exceptional written, oral, and visual communication skills.
• Experience working in a higher education context, demonstrating knowledge and understanding of academic cultures, rules, and regulations.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including the ability to juggle competing demands, work efficiently, and deliver high quality work while adhering to deadlines.
• Good character, sound judgment, and a strong work ethic.
• Openness to feedback and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
• Ability to represent the programs and the university in a professional manner.
• Some travel may be required.

• Reports to Managing Director, Communities of Impact, Educating Character Initiative.
• Works under minimal supervision.
• Responsible for their own work.

• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting and standing.

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Note to Applicant: