POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
Lilly Postdoctoral Fellowships are two-year residential fellowships for teacher-scholars who seek to renew and enrich their intellectual and professional lives while preparing for careers at church-related institutions of higher learning. Each academic year, up to two Fellows are appointed for two-year periods.
Fellows are selected from applicants who have an interest in the relationship between Christianity and the academy and seek a career at a church-related college or university. Fellows are in residence at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. The Lilly Fellows Program is fully ecumenical.
ABOUT
Lilly Postdoctoral Fellowships are two-year residential fellowships for teacher-scholars who seek to renew and enrich their intellectual and professional lives while preparing for careers at church-related institutions of higher learning. Each academic year, up to two Fellows are appointed for two-year periods.
Fellows are selected from applicants who have an interest in the relationship between Christianity and the academy and seek a career at a church-related college or university. Fellows are in residence at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. The Lilly Fellows Program is fully ecumenical.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Lilly Fellows are incorporated into a community of Christian teacher-scholars through:
Teaching experiences in eight courses over two years in appropriate departments and Christ College (Honors College) at Valparaiso University, including the opportunity to teach in the fall semester of the Christ College First Year Program
Mentoring over the course of two years by a senior faculty member from the Fellow's discipline or Christ College
Participation in weekly meetings of a two-year colloquium program led by Senior Fellows from Valparaiso University
Research opportunities for scholarly or creative work in the Fellow's field and in the relationship of Christianity to the academy
Opportunities to develop contact with representatives from the Program's National Network of Church-Related Colleges and Universities
Assistance in the second year with career planning and placement
Applications to join the 2024 Lilly Fellows Cohort are now closed.
RECENT POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
2022-2024 FELLOW
Jacob Torbeck
THEOLOGY
BA, Greenville University
MA, Aquinas Institute of Theology
PhD, Loyola University Chicago
Dissertation: Turn Not Thine Eyes: Holy Faces and Saving Gazes in Mystical and Liberation Theologies
Current Appointment: Sisters of St Francis Endowed Chair in Theology, Briar Cliff University
2021-2023 FELLOWS
Abigail Gomulkiewicz
HISTORY
BA, University of St Andrews and College of William & Mary
MPhil, University of Cambridge
PhD, University of Cambridge
Dissertation: The Value of Dress in the Cecil Household (c.1550-1612)
Current Appointment: Assistant Professor of History, University of St. Francis
Amanda Ruud
ENGLISH LITERATURE
BA, Biola University
MA, University of Connecticut
PhD, University of Southern California
Dissertation: Shakespeare’s Speaking Pictures
Current Appointment: Visiting Assistant Professor of Humanities and Literature, Christ College, Valparaiso University
PROGRAM DISTINCTIVES
Vocational Community & Mentorship
Fellows participate in weekly meetings as part of a two-year colloquium program led by Senior Fellows from Valparaiso University and invited scholars from other institutions.
Each Fellow will be mentored over the course of two years by a senior faculty member from the Fellow's discipline or Christ College, the Honors College. These mentors assist with pedagogy, publishing goals, teaching techniques, and integration into the overall sphere of church-related higher education.
Valuable Experience
The Postdoctoral Fellowship offers essential teaching experience and participation in departmental and university communities. In addition, Fellows also benefit from provided time to hone their writing talents and generate publications based on their research interests. Teaching in Christ College allows them to gain fundamental experience in General Education and the teaching of writing.
National Promotion
In addition to job market assistance from Lilly Network staff, Fellows are introduced to the wide range of the Lilly Network’s Campus Representatives. This provides the opportunity to develop contact with faculty and administrators who can provide advice, assistance, and advocacy in the search for permanent academic positions.
ELIGIBILITY, APPOINTMENT, & COMPENSATION
ELIGIBILITY
RESIDENCY
Fellows are expected to be in residence throughout the two-year term of their appointments (summers excepted). Because of the importance of regular interaction with students and participation in the Christ College Honors College and Valparaiso University community, Fellows should reside within fifteen miles of the Valparaiso University campus; any departure from this expectation should be discussed with the Program Director prior to appointment.
DIVERSITY, MISSION, & TEACHING STATEMENT
As a campus with an increasingly diverse student body, we encourage applications from individuals with a commitment to mentoring students from underrepresented communities.
In your cover letter, please include brief statements of (a) how you might contribute to the university’s distinctive mission, and (b) what experiences you have had which will enable you to mentor a diverse student body. Credentials will be confirmed prior to hire.
Employment will require a satisfactory criminal background check.
Valparaiso University does not unlawfully discriminate and aims to employ persons of various backgrounds and experiences to develop and support its diverse community. Its entire EOE policy can be found at https://www.valpo.edu/general-counsel/policies/equal-opportunity-policy/.
INTEREST
Competition for Lilly Fellowships is open to persons interested in the relationship between Christianity and the academy and who desire a career at a church-related college or university. Research or dissertation topics are not restricted to religion. The Lilly Fellows Program is fully ecumenical.
DEGREE COMPLETION
For appointments beginning in the academic year 2024-2026 an applicant must have received the PhD, DMA, DFA, MFA, or equivalent terminal degree no earlier than December 2022.
The degree must be completed by August 2024.
DISCIPLINES
Fellows will be recruited from the following disciplines: Art and Art History; Creative Writing; Classics; Ethnic and Multicultural Studies; History; Interdisciplinary Studies; Languages and Literatures; Music and Music History; Philosophy; Religion and Theology; Rhetoric; Theatre History and Theatre Arts, and Women's and Gender Studies. Candidates will be asked to demonstrate their interest in the aims of the Lilly Fellows Program, their desire and preparation to teach in the interdisciplinary Christ College First Year Program, and commitment to explore teaching as a Christian vocation.
APPOINTMENT
Lilly Fellows are appointed for two years at a rank equivalent to that of instructor.
During the fall semester of their first year of the Fellowship, Fellows will teach in the interdisciplinary Christ College First Year Program. For more information on the Christ College First Year Program, click here.
COMPENSATION
Starting salary for 2024-2026 will be $50,715 plus standard benefits, a moving allowance, and an annual professional and travel allowance.