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Postdoctoral Fellows

Application Deadline: December 1, 2020

For 2021-22, MSRI will appoint 6-8 Postdoctoral Fellowships to each of the Fall programs, and 12-15 in the Spring Jumbo program. Fellowship applications are reviewed by program organizers and the Human Resources Advisory Committee, who recommend finalists to the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) for approval at its January meeting. Awards will be announced by early February.

Support:
These awards provide support for five months. The fellowship stipend is currently $6,300 per month, with a travel subsidy for one round-trip from your current institution, and a research travel budget of $600. Health insurance is also provided. Postdoctoral Fellows cannot receive any other monetary compensation during their PD fellowship at MSRI. In addition, MSRI's postdoctoral program has some endowed fellowships. There is no need to apply separately for these positions which carry a monthly stipend of $7,500 per month and a research travel budget of $600 for one semester. Awards will be made competitively, from nominees submitted by the organizing committees of the programs.

NSF Postdocs:
Junior researchers who will be in their second or third year of an NSF postdoctoral fellowship are not eligible to apply for an MSRI postdoctoral fellowship. Such researchers are welcome to apply for a regular research membership, specifying that they are an NSF postdoctoral Fellow.

Simultaneous NSF Postdoc applicant: For junior researchers who are simultaneously applying for a postdoctoral fellowship at the NSF and at MSRI, the following rules apply:

  • The NSF application must include MSRI as a possible site for research
  • As part of the NSF application, the proposed mentor must describe in his/her letter of support why and how being at MSRI for the duration of the program would be beneficial to the postdoctoral fellow
  • The MSRI application must mention the separate application to the NSF
Eligibility:
  • Fellows must hold a Ph.D. in mathematics at the beginning of the program
  • The Ph.D. must have been awarded on or after August 31, 2016
  • Fellows must be in residence for the duration of the program (no exception possible)
  • Fellows cannot receive any other monetary compensation during their fellowship at MSRI
Application Process:
The application is to be completed online at the MathJobs website. Please carefully read the instructions on the website before completing the form. Be sure to specify the program to which you are applying on MathJobs. The application must include a statement explaining the scientific basis of a postdoctoral fellowship at MSRI. All applications will be reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Committee, Human Resources Advisory Committee, and Program Organizers.

Application Material Required:
Submit the following items online at the MathJobs site:
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Publication List
  • Statement of Purpose
  • 3 Reference Letters (to be submitted by the reference writers)
The "Statement of Purpose" is a critical document that must state clearly and specifically the relationship between the applicant's interests and the scientific objectives of the program. A generic statement of plans for future research will not suffice. Candidates must upload several support documents and arrange for those who are writing recommendations to upload their letters of recommendation.To receive full consideration, it is essential that all application materials, including three letters of support, be in place at the MathJobs website by December 1, 2020.

Important Note on Visa Status: If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, your visa status may severely limit or even eliminate the possibility of MSRI providing compensation or reimbursement for your expenses, as well as restricting the length of time that you can visit MSRI. You should therefore carefully indicate your visa status on your MathJobs application and investigate its terms. If you presently hold an H1-B visa at another institution or might hold one at the time of your visit to MSRI, please check H1-B visa instructions at http://www.msri.org/web/msri/for-visitors/visa-information before proceeding with your application. Severe restrictions apply to H1-B visa holders. If our institution agrees to do a change of employer and to port you to MSRI, please note that the H1-B processing and filing fees will be entirely the responsibility of the employing institution.

Important Note: The Complementary Program has a limited number of memberships that are open to mathematicians who are partners of invited members of a core program. Interested partners should apply for the position of Research Members in the Complementary Program through MathJobs www.mathjobs.org/jobs/MSRI.

Awards will be announced by early February 2021. MSRI asks applicants' consideration in not phoning or emailing the Institute regarding the status of their applications before March 2021.