Lasker Prize Fellowship

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) invites applications for the Lasker Prize Fellowship to start in Fall 2024.

The Barry M. Lasker Data Science Postdoctoral Fellowship is an STScI-funded program designed
to provide up to 3 years of support for passionate and self-motivated postdoctoral researchers
working on innovative astronomical studies involving the use or creation of one or more of the
following: large astronomical databases, massive data processing, data visualization and
discovery tools, and machine-learning algorithms. Lasker Data Science Fellowship recipients are
encouraged to explore interdisciplinary approaches to addressing the opportunities provided in
the “Big Data” era of astronomy and to take significant advantage of cloud computing such as Amazon Web Services, and the archived datasets held (or planned for ingest) at STScI, including HST, JWST, GALEX, Kepler/K2, PanSTARRS, and TESS. In particular, we encourage researchers to explore the potential offered by the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Telescope.

The Lasker Prize Fellowship includes an annual salary of approximately $75,525, generous benefits, including some support for relocation, and $17,000 per year to cover research expenses. The duration of the fellowship is up to three years. Fellows are residents at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore.

Applicants are expected to hold a PhD in astronomy, physics or a related field at the time of the
commencement of the fellowship, but there are no further restrictions on the date of PhD
degree. The selection will be based on the accomplishments and proposed research of the
applicants; the impacts of covid will be considered during the selection process.
Further information about all of our fellowship opportunities can be found at:
https://www.stsci.edu/stsci-research/fellowships. Questions about this opportunity should be
sent to [email protected].

Applicants should submit the following materials in a single pdf file:
1) a cover letter (maximum 2 pages),
2) a curriculum vitae and list of publications,
3) a research statement describing past, current and proposed research (maximum 4 pages).

References will not count toward the page limits. Strong applications will address why the applicant wishes to work at STScI, highlight synergies with STScI’s goals, missions, research, and staff, and explain how holding a Lasker Prize Fellowship at STScI will support their scientific
development and career goals.

 Applicants will be requested to identify three individuals who can provide letters of reference on their behalf by the application deadline. References will be contacted thru the Slideroom system to submit the letters.

Only use this link to apply: https://stsci.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/74335

The STScI on-line application portal will be activated on Friday, August 11, 2023. Applications
received by Friday, October 6, 2023 11:59pm EDT will receive full consideration.
 

Candidates will be notified of the results of the selection process by late January 2024.
Fellowships will begin in the second half of 2024.
 

STScI occupies two sites surrounding the campus of the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) in
Baltimore, MD. It maintains close connections with the JHU Physics and Astronomy Department
and is a partner in the Pan-STARRS, LSST and SDSS V consortia. STScI values diversity and has
mentoring programs and access to annual training programs. The research environment
engages, stimulates and supports a diverse international research staff with over 120 members.
Research projects (http://www.stsci.edu/stsci-research) span a wide range of topics and include
collaborations with postdoctoral researchers, research support analysts and JHU graduate
students, as well as researchers from other institutions. Researchers lead the organization of
annual workshops and symposia, and participate in the activities of the very successful office of
public outreach. Functionally, research staff members support the wider community through
calibration and characterization of current and upcoming instrumentation, development of
tools for analyses of archival holdings, and overall mission planning. Research-staff members
also help to formulate the strategic goals of the Institute.
 

The diversity of the STScI staff enhances the dynamic and collegial atmosphere of our scientific
community, and reflects our commitment to inclusivity in the broadest sense. Accordingly,
women, minorities, veterans, and disabled individuals are strongly encouraged to apply for this
position.
 

As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, STScI does not discriminate because
of race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, lawful political affiliations,
veteran status, or mental or physical handicap. Veterans, disabled or wounded warriors
needing assistance with the employment process can contact us at [email protected].