Director, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, and Associate/Full Professor

The University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame) and the Keough School of Global Affairs are accepting applications for a full-time, tenured position at the associate or full professor level. The ideal candidate will be an accomplished scholar, strategic leader, and culture builder that will also serve as the next Director of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. The Director will lead a globally recognized institute composed of a committed group of research scholars and practitioners in charting a compelling vision for the future. This is an important leadership role that is central to the mission of a premier global Catholic research university. The Director role offers an opportunity to make an outsized impact in realizing Kroc’s mission to study the causes of violent conflict and strategies for a just and sustainable peace.

The ideal candidate will be a distinguished scholar whose research and policy engagement focus on issues relevant to the study or implementation of peace. Candidates should have a Ph.D. and rigorous training in law, history, peace studies, political science, sociology, theology, or a related field, with a record of significant intellectual contributions and academic achievement to receive tenure at Notre Dame.

This is a full-time, tenured appointment, with administrative responsibilities and teaching duties at the undergraduate and graduate levels, ideally to begin in August 2027.

The Kroc Institute was founded in 1986 through the shared vision of long-time Notre Dame President Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., and philanthropist Joan B. Kroc. Inspired by a commitment to peace, human rights, and the reduction of conflict, the Institute has grown into one of the world’s leading centers for peace studies research, education, and practice. The Institute brings together scholars from multiple fields to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Research areas span peace processes, international mediation, conflict resolution, transitional justice, environmental justice, nuclear disarmament, human rights, migration, religion and peacebuilding, genocide prevention, and emerging issues such as technology and polarization. In 2014, the Institute became a founding unit of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs.

A defining characteristic of the Kroc Institute is its commitment to bridging scholarship and practice; producing interdisciplinary research that not only advances knowledge but also informs policy and action. Faculty and programs engage directly with governments, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and local communities around the world. Initiatives such as the Peace Accords Matrix and the Catholic Peacebuilding Network are significant and renowned initiatives to translate scholarship into practical impact. Its academic portfolio includes programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Supported by a substantial endowment, and a global alumni network of more than 2,000, the Institute occupies a uniquely influential position within the field.

The Director of the Kroc Institute reports directly to the Dean of the Keough School of Global Affairs. The next Director will be charged with developing an innovative intellectual agenda; continue to integrate with the Keough School; enhance Kroc’s leadership in peace studies; and foster a collaborative and inclusive community. The Director will have an opportunity to build upon the Institute’s remarkable 40 year legacy while shaping a new future as the leading center for peace studies grounded in Notre Dame’s identity as a Catholic research institution and its enduring commitment to human dignity, justice, and the common good.

Sean Farrell is leading this search with Kahn Lee and Drew Chang.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.

Dual Career Assistance

To support relocating families, Notre Dame’s Dual Career Assistance Program helps spouses and partners pursue local career opportunities.

Background Check

This appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Applicants will be asked to identify all felony convictions and/or pending felony charges. Felony convictions do not automatically bar an individual from employment. Each case will be examined separately to determine the appropriateness of employment in the particular position. Failure to be forthcoming or dishonesty with respect to felony disclosures can result in the disqualification of a candidate. The full procedure can be viewed at https://facultyhandbook.nd.edu/?id=link-73597.