Distinguished Chair of Ethics

LOCATION: 

VADM James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD 

APPLICATION TIMELINE:

This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on February 24, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

ABOUT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY:

The United States Naval Academy is a unique institution of higher learning located in Annapolis, Maryland.  As a service academy and premier undergraduate college, the United States Naval Academy has its own distinctive niche amongst American higher education institutions. Our talented faculty and staff are united by a common purpose--to develop the next generation of officers to be exceptional leaders in our naval service.

Every year more than one million people tour "the Yard" to experience what our employees already know — the United States Naval Academy is a special place, with a special purpose. Employees will find challenging and rewarding work; state-of-the-art facilities which inspire academic and athletic excellence; the benefits of Federal employment; and exceptional quality-of-life.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the United States Naval Academy invites applications for the gift-funded Class of 1965 Distinguished Chair in Ethics to begin as early as July 2025. This prestigious position offers an exceptional opportunity for a scholar and practitioner in ethics to contribute to the ethical development of Midshipmen, foster research in ethical leadership, and influence ethical practices within the Navy, Marine Corps, and other government agencies. The Chair will work closely with faculty and others to advance the mission of the Stockdale Center and support the Naval Academy's commitment to developing principled leaders.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Collaboration with the Director of Ethics Research:
  • Work closely with the Director to design and implement research initiatives that explore contemporary ethical issues relevant to military leadership and public service.
  • Contribute to the strategic direction of the Stockdale Center by providing insights and expertise in ethical leadership and decision-making.
• Engagement with Research Fellows:
  • Actively participate in weekly research discussions with visiting research fellows, fostering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment.
  • Provide mentorship and guidance to research fellows, encouraging the development of innovative ideas and ethical frameworks.
• Curriculum Development:
  • Contribute to the core ethics curriculum for Midshipmen, ensuring that it is relevant, engaging, and aligned with the Naval Academy's mission of developing future leaders.
  • Develop educational materials, case studies, and resources that enhance the ethical training of Midshipmen and support their professional development.
• Publication and Dissemination of Research:
  • Conduct and publish original research on military ethics, ethical leadership, decision-making, and related topics that can be disseminated to the Navy, Marine Corps, and other government agencies.
  • Collaborate with faculty and staff to produce materials that address ethical challenges in military contexts and contribute to broader discussions on ethics in public service.
• Contributions to Center Initiatives:
  • Participate in and contribute to various initiatives and programs organized by the Stockdale Center, including workshops, seminars, and public outreach events.
  • Engage with external stakeholders, including military leaders, academic institutions, and ethical organizations, to promote the mission of the Stockdale Center.
• Prioritized Responsibilities:
  • Undertake additional responsibilities as prioritized by the Director of the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, ensuring the alignment of efforts with the Center’s strategic goals and objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Minimum Qualifications: 

•  A Ph.D. in ethics or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Tenured professor with academic leadership experience.
• Demonstrated scholarly contributions in the field of ethics and ethical leadership.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with Midshipmen, faculty, military personnel, and the general public.
• A commitment to the values of integrity, accountability, and service, aligned with the mission of the Naval Academy.

HOW TO APPLY FOR POSITION:

Interested candidates should submit their application materials, including a cover letter, CV,  and contact information for three professional references to the Search Committee at distinguished-chair-of-ethics-2025-group@usna.edu.

Please Note:  Applications will be reviewed beginning February 24, 2025 and the position will remain open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• All Civilian Faculty Positions at USNA are subject to a background investigation. These investigations are conducted to ensure that individuals hired are trustworthy, of good conduct, and reliable. The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication. The selectee's failure to meet this requirement will be grounds for termination. More information about the background investigation process can be found at the Academic Dean and Provost’s website here https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Faculty-Information/Background-Investigation-Info.php. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

NOTICE TO VETERANS: If you are a veteran, you are encouraged to clearly identify your Veterans’ status in your cover letter or elsewhere in your application materials. Please DO NOT provide official documentation, such as a DD-214 or any personally identifiable information, at this time.

NOTICE TO CURRENT ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Separating service members will be eligible for employment to an excepted service position within 120 days of discharge given a Statement of Service can be provided.  If selected, you will be required to submit a Statement of Service indicating your branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, your expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.) The statement of service must be printed on command letterhead and signed by your command. 

NOTICE TO RETIRING MILITARY: Retired service members cannot be appointed to DOD civilian positions within 180 days of retiring. As such, they must observe a 180 day waiting period starting from their date of retirement. USNA does not waive this waiting period requirement for excepted service positions.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  

The Department of the Navy provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities who believe they require reasonable accommodation should contact our Human Resource Office to ensure that the Department of the Navy can consider such requests. The decision to grant an accommodation will be made on a case by case basis.

Announcement: STOCKD-24-25-6

The U.S. Naval Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer