NSF-Simons Foundation-funded National AI Institute for the Sky
Prize ID:
SkAIInstitute-PDFELLOWSKAI [#30859]
Prize Title:
SkAI Prize Postdoctoral Fellowships
Prize Type:
Postdoctoral
Location:
Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States of America
Subject Areas:
Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering
Astronomy / Astronomy and Astrophysics
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Autonomy
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science
Astronomy / Astronomy and Astrophysics
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Autonomy
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science
Starting Date:
2026/09/01
Compensation:
83,000
Appl Deadline:
2025/12/12 11:59PM
(posted 2025/10/13)
(posted 2025/10/13) Description:
Description
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 SkAI Institute is bringing together astrophysics and AI researchers to advance both fields through cross-disciplinary collaboration and is serving as a nexus for the further development of a nationwide Astro-AI community. SkAI Fellows have the opportunity to lead independent research aligned with SkAI’s broad Astro-AI research mission, in collaboration with SkAI faculty and their respective research groups. Fellows are based in the SkAI Hub, which is located in the historic John Hancock Center in downtown Chicago, and are also be able to also spend time at any of the SkAI institutional research partners (Northwestern University, The University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and many other partners), depending on the Fellows’ research and education interests. They 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 UIUC’s 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). Compensation and Benefits: Fellowship appointments will be for a three-year term starting in September 2026. In addition to the annual stipend ($83,000 USD), 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. Application Instructions: Candidates with PhDs in Astronomy, Physics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Statistics, or related fields are invited to apply. Note: Applicants must complete their Ph.D. requirements prior to appointment. Applicants should include a cover letter (stating your interest in areas of SkAI research and identifying potential faculty mentors from the SkAI website people page), 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 AJO. All questions should be sent by email to skai-institute@u.northwestern.edu. Applications received by December 12th, 2025 will receive full consideration. Later applications will be considered until all positions are filled. Note: In addition to applying to this position, you may also submit your materials for the SkAI Postdoctoral Associate position by clicking both boxes below. For more information about the Postdoctoral Associate position, see AJO listing #30861 (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30861).Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Research statement
- Three reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site )
And anything else requested in the description.
Further Info: