MIT Kavli Postdoctoral Fellowship in Astrophysics

The MIT Kavli Institute (MKI) for Astrophysics and Space Research invites applications for the MIT Kavli Postdoctoral Fellowship in Astrophysics. The appointment will be made to an outstanding researcher displaying significant promise in any area of astrophysics, including theory, observation, or instrumentation, and embodying core values of inclusion and belonging.

MKI is an institutional partner in the 6.5m Magellan Telescopes at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile. In addition, MKI provides opportunities for involvement in many existing and future experiments including the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA), CHIME, the Chandra X-Ray Center, and NASA’s NICER mission on the International Space Station. Unique facilities and staff expertise are available to help fellows to advance research in space- or ground-based instrumentation at optical, IR, X-ray and or radio frequencies.  We operate a dedicated CPU+GPU cluster at the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center.

The appointment will be for a maximum of three years, with annual renewal contingent on performance. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or equivalent, by the date of their appointment. The stipend for 2023-2024 will be approximately $83,000 with a research budget of approximately $15,000. Funds will also be provided for health benefits.

The application deadline is December 4, 2023. Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, list of publications, and a statement explaining past and current research (maximum 3 pages) as well as a research proposal (maximum 3 pages) via Academic Jobs Online and should arrange for three letters of recommendation to be submitted. Only web submissions will be accepted.

Non-U.S. nationals who are offered a postdoctoral fellowship must hold appropriate non-immigrant status, such as J-1, F-1 OPT/STEM, or other employment authorization (EAD), for the duration of the fellowship appointment. Please note that MIT will not process H-1B and E-3 employment-based, non-immigrant visa sponsorship applications for Kavli Postdoctoral Fellows.

MIT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability.

Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.