LSSTC Catalyst Fellowships - Postdoc

The LSST Corporation (LSSTC) announces an upcoming call for applications for the new LSSTC Catalyst Fellowship funded by the John Templeton Foundation. Starting in fall, 2022, LSSTC will support a diverse cohort of five outstanding astrophysics postdoctoral Fellows whose research is directly related to preparation for, and use of, the Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). Standard Fellowship terms will be three years. The deadline to apply for LSSTC Catalyst Fellowships in astrophysics is November 15, 2021.

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to register to attend a virtual “Ideas Lab” workshop about the new fellowship, to take place on October 8, 2021. For more information, and to register, go to: https://www.lsstcorporation.org/catalyst-fellowship/content/ideas-lab. This workshop will be informational only, and is not part of the selection process. It will, however, help applicants craft strong applications by enabling structured networking and brainstorming with faculty and researchers in the Rubin LSST research community.

In addition to having the academic freedom that is typical of prize fellowships, LSSTC Catalyst Fellows in astrophysics will enjoy multiple, unusual benefits and opportunities, such as: 1) structured mentoring and leadership training; 2) four-year terms for some Fellows whose research plans include working closely with faculty and students at small or historically underserved institutions, or helping to develop and test analysis tools for LSST data; 3) a large selection of potential host institutions, including some outside the US (in Brazil, Chile, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK); 4) automatic delegate status for LSST data previews; 5) the opportunity to work with social scientists to understand and improve the practice of astrophysics (including working to make the field more diverse, equitable, and inclusive); and 6) an affiliation with the LSST Interdisciplinary Network for Collaboration and Computing (LINCC). The LSSTC Catalyst Fellowship will thus offer numerous opportunities for early career astrophysicists to acquire a deep knowledge and understanding of the state-of-the-art in survey science and to establish themselves as leaders for the LSST decade.

Catalyst Fellowships in astrophysics are open to applicants of any nationality who earned their doctoral degree between January 1, 2018, and September, 2022, in astronomy, physics, data science, or related disciplines. The starting stipend for the 2022 Catalyst Fellows in astrophysics will be US$70,000. For Fellows working outside of the US, the stipend will be as close to this value as is consistent with local laws and regulations. Fellows will receive a research budget of up to US$15,000 per year and benefits.

Detailed program policies and application instructions will soon be available on the LSSTC Catalyst Fellowship website. We anticipate the application portal being open on that website from October 12 to November 15, 2021.  Applicants should follow the instructions given on the Catalyst Fellowship webpage and examine the Frequently Asked Questions. 

Important dates:

Ideas Lab virtual workshop: October 8, 2021

Applications due: November 15, 2021, 23:00 UTC (4:00 PM MST, 6:00 PM EST)

Offers will be made in late January or early February, 2022, and new appointments should begin on or about September 1, 2022. Catalyst Fellowships are open to English-speaking citizens of all nations. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or national origin. Women and members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.