Postdoctoral Fellow, Research & Assessment

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Job Description Summary

The Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University is seeking a creative and committed Postdoctoral Research Fellow with expertise in quantitative and qualitative analysis to advance research and evaluation into character education in higher education. To support the resource creation for an expanding network of character educators, the postdoctoral fellow will work closely with the Senior Research Scholar to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis on several research projects exploring the impact of character education initiatives within the university context. As part of a new grant funded by the John Templeton Foundation, this position will help to produce resources for institutions through developing measurement resources, including validation of new or context-adapted measures, publishing articles that demonstrate the impact of intentional character education efforts in higher education, and contributing to the field in a variety of ways that help equip other institutions in their efforts.

We are particularly interested in those with expertise in research methods pertaining to repeated measures quasi-experimental research studies and who may offer innovative ways to assess the impact of applied programming. The postdoctoral fellow will be involved in a variety of tasks, including conducting research related to leadership and character, designing and conducting empirical studies related to interventions including hypothesis testing, creating reports for internal feedback loops, and preparing manuscripts for publication. We welcome applications from scholars with expertise in the empirical assessment of character, moral education, moral personality, or related topics who have strong methodological experience assessing interventions or evaluating programs. Evidence of mixed-methods (i.e., quantitative and qualitative) empirical research skills is required. The postdoctoral fellow will work with an interdisciplinary research team publishing innovative and potentially transformative research and resources on cultivating character and leadership in a university context. The grant-funded postdoctoral role will be for a two-year term.

To apply, please provide 1) a cover letter detailing your relevant expertise and interest in the position, 2) a curriculum vitae, 3) a one-page statement describing your approach to empirical research and assessment; 4) a scholarly writing sample or published article; and 5) a list of at least three professional or scholarly references, including at least one current or former supervisor. Applications submitted by April 30, 2026 will receive priority consideration. Candidates who wish to work remotely will be considered.

Job Description

Essential Functions:

•  Will report to, and work closely with, the Senior Research Scholar and the Research Program Manager to design and analyze multiple research studies related to leadership and character development in the university context.

• Conceptualize innovative and creative ways to measure and evaluate key constructs and facets related to leadership and character.

• Conduct evaluation and assessment of relevant courses and programming in a university context.

• Conduct a range of quantitative analyses, such as multilevel modeling, psychometric validation analyses and nonparametric approaches.

• Conduct a range of qualitative analysis, such as thematic, interpretative phenomenological, or conten