The NSF-Simons National AI Institute for the Sky (SkAI Institute) invites applications for SkAI Prize Postdoctoral Fellowships. Spurred by the coming generation of large sky surveys, the newly founded SkAI Institute will bring together astrophysics and AI researchers to advance both fields through cross-disciplinary collaboration and will serve as a nexus for the further development of a nationwide Astro-AI community.
SkAI Fellows will have the opportunity to lead independent research aligned with SkAI’s broad Astro-AI research mission, in collaboration with SkAI Senior Personnel and their research groups. Fellows will be based in the SkAI Hub (Hancock building in downtown Chicago) but will be able to also spend time at any of the SkAI institutional research partners (Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and many other partners), depending on the Fellows’ research and education interests. They will benefit from a diverse, cross-disciplinary, and dynamic intellectual environment (including workshops, lecture series, conferences, retreats, and more), a structured mentorship program, training opportunities, access to computing resources at NCSA and Argonne National Laboratory suited for AI research and to collaborations with software engineers, and will have opportunities to collaborate with peers and mentor students from SkAI academic partners (including SkAI’s Satellite Network).
Fellowship appointments will be for a three-year term starting in September 2025. The annual stipend is $83,000 and the position comes with a competitive benefits package and a research budget of $15,000 per year.
SkAI Fellows will be Northwestern University employees with access to a highly competitive benefits package.
Included Benefits: http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html.
Please submit applications electronically (AJO Job ID 28812). Candidates with PhDs in Astronomy, Physics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Statistics, or related fields are invited to apply. Applications should include a cover letter (stating your interest in areas of SkAI research and identifying potential faculty mentors from this list), a CV (including a list of publications with the most important 1 to 3 publications indicated with an asterisk), a 3-page statement of research accomplishments and goals. Note that SkAI’s mission is to advance both astronomy and AI foundations. Applicants should also arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be uploaded to Academic Jobs Online. All questions should be sent by email to skai_jobs@lists.skai-institute.org. Applications received by December 6th, 2024 will receive full consideration. Later applications will be considered until all positions are filled. By applying to these Fellowship positions, you will also be automatically considered for all other SkAI postdoctoral positions. Applicants must complete their Ph.D. requirements prior to appointment.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.