What are the responsibilities and job description for the The O’Brien Notre Dame International Security Center Hans J. Morgenthau Fellowship position at University of Notre Dame?
The O’Brien Notre Dame International Security Center (ONDISC) invites applications for its seventh cohort of Hans J. Morgenthau Fellows. In the spirit of Morgenthau, a deep thinker about international relations and an engaged participant in debates about American foreign policy, ONDISC seeks to help the next generation of scholars think more about grand strategy in its larger conceptual and historical context.
Over the course of the fellowship year, Fellows will discuss the burgeoning literature on U.S. grand strategy, become part of the broader network of junior and senior scholars engaged with these topics, and hone their teaching skills. Successful applicants need not have any particular view of the optimal grand strategy – just a willingness to discuss the topic seriously and debate the alternatives civilly.
The Fellowship will be directed by professors Michael Desch and Eugene Gholz. The Fellowship lasts one year and is non-residential.
Fellows contribute to the program’s mission by participating in three in-person events throughout the year. They will begin with an intensive week-long seminar, reading foundational texts and debating critical issues in contemporary grand strategy at the University of Notre Dame (early August 2026). Fellows will then embark on a week-long international study trip, where we will combine seminar discussions of strategy with walking the terrain and learning how history, geography, tactics, and strategy intersect (early June 2027). The fellowship will conclude with a workshop where Fellows will start to plan and practice an approach to teaching a course about grand strategy (late July 2027).
In addition to the three in-person events, fellows will also convene roughly once a month for virtual speaker and seminar events over the fellowship year.
The Fellowship includes travel expenses and accommodations during in-person activities.
Qualifications
Ideally, applicants will be ABD doctoral candidates in political science, international relations, global affairs, public policy, history, and allied fields. However, we will also consider applications from exceptional candidates at other levels. We welcome applications from individuals of backgrounds not widely represented in foreign policy discussions.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit a 1-page cover letter explaining their interest in the program, a CV, and a letter of recommendation through Interfolio by April 24, 2026.
Please direct any questions to Eugene Gholz (egholz@nd.edu) and Jenna Gibson, assistant director of ONDISC (jgibson6@nd.edu).
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.
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.
Over the course of the fellowship year, Fellows will discuss the burgeoning literature on U.S. grand strategy, become part of the broader network of junior and senior scholars engaged with these topics, and hone their teaching skills. Successful applicants need not have any particular view of the optimal grand strategy – just a willingness to discuss the topic seriously and debate the alternatives civilly.
The Fellowship will be directed by professors Michael Desch and Eugene Gholz. The Fellowship lasts one year and is non-residential.
Fellows contribute to the program’s mission by participating in three in-person events throughout the year. They will begin with an intensive week-long seminar, reading foundational texts and debating critical issues in contemporary grand strategy at the University of Notre Dame (early August 2026). Fellows will then embark on a week-long international study trip, where we will combine seminar discussions of strategy with walking the terrain and learning how history, geography, tactics, and strategy intersect (early June 2027). The fellowship will conclude with a workshop where Fellows will start to plan and practice an approach to teaching a course about grand strategy (late July 2027).
In addition to the three in-person events, fellows will also convene roughly once a month for virtual speaker and seminar events over the fellowship year.
The Fellowship includes travel expenses and accommodations during in-person activities.
Qualifications
Ideally, applicants will be ABD doctoral candidates in political science, international relations, global affairs, public policy, history, and allied fields. However, we will also consider applications from exceptional candidates at other levels. We welcome applications from individuals of backgrounds not widely represented in foreign policy discussions.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit a 1-page cover letter explaining their interest in the program, a CV, and a letter of recommendation through Interfolio by April 24, 2026.
Please direct any questions to Eugene Gholz (egholz@nd.edu) and Jenna Gibson, assistant director of ONDISC (jgibson6@nd.edu).
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.
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.