Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships Program
Competitive fellowships supporting exceptional early-career scientists.
The EAPS Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship Program attracts researchers with interests in the broad range of disciplines represented in the department. Fellows are expected to pursue independent research, but also encouraged to collaborate with at least one faculty member in the department. Candidates should contact prospective faculty hosts whose primary affiliation is in EAPS. MIT postdoctoral researchers receive mentoring and opportunities for career development throughout the postdoctoral period.
The program typically appoints two new fellows each year through a competitive process. Appointments are for two years. Each fellow receives an annual stipend of $85,000, an allowance of $5,000 per year for research, and $5,000 relocation expenses. Fellows will be eligible for MIT health benefits.
Application Information
The application period for the 2025-26 academic year is currently open.
Applications are due by November 30, 2024.
All prospective fellows, regardless of discipline, fill out a common application form through Academic Jobs Online which consists of:
- A single PDF file containing: (i) a curriculum vitae that includes a list of publications; and (ii) a two-page plan of research to be conducted during the fellowship (two pages including figures but excluding references)
- Three reference letters to be provided separately by referees. The application form will generate emails instructing referees how to upload their letters.
Start dates are flexible, but should ideally fall between June 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026. Applicants must have obtained a PhD by the start date, but not more than three years before the start date.
Applicants not selected for one of the named fellowships will automatically be considered for open postdoctoral positions in their area of expertise at MIT.
Women and minority candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Questions about the fellowship may be directed to eapsdpf@mit.edu.
About the Fellowships
Each selected fellow is appointed to a named fellowship depending on disciplinary interests.
The Crosby Postdoctoral Fellowship was established in 2012.
About W. O. Crosby
William O. Crosby joined the MIT faculty in 1878. He was a popular teacher, leading countless field trips that introduced MIT students and Boston residents to the geology of the Boston Basin. Crosby was considered the nation’s top expert on dams, consulted on the construction of the Charles River Dam and the excavation of subway tunnels in Boston, and investigated the foundation conditions for the new MIT campus in Cambridge.
Past recipients include:
Giullo Mariotti
2012 – Advisor: Taylor Perron
Christopher Hayes
2013 – Advisor: Ed Boyle
Mauricio Ibanez-Meja
2014 – Advisor: Tim Grove
Francois Tissot
2015 – Advisors: Tim Grove
David McGee
Lily Momper
2016 – Advisor: Tanja Bosak
Athena Eyster
2017 – Advisor: Kristin Bergmann
Elizabeth Troein
2018 – Advisor: Andrew Babbin
Tushar Mittal
2019 – Advisor: Oli Jagoutz
Lubna Shawar
2020 – Advisor: Roger Summons
Saverio Cambioni
2021 – Advisor: Ben Weiss
Darien Florez
2023 – Advisor: Matěj Pěc
The Houghton Postdoctoral Fellowship was established in 2017. Houghton fellows are additionally invited to contribute to educational activities in the department, at a level to be determined in consultation with the faculty mentor
About Henry Houghton
Henry Houghton served for 25 years as Head of the Department of Meteorology (predecessor of what has become the Program in Atmospheres, Oceans and Climate). During that long period, the Department established an unsurpassed standard of excellence in these fields. On his death, Professor Houghton left the bulk of his estate to the new Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences to establish the Henry Houghton Fund.
Past recipients include:
Janni Yuval
2019 – Advisor: Paul O’Gorman
Wanying Kang
2020 – Advisor: Raffaele Ferrari
Qindan Zhu
2022 – Advisor: Arlene Fiore
Yidonfang Si
2023 – Advisor: Raffaele Ferrari
The Molina Postdoctoral Fellowship was established in 1996.
About Mario Molina
Mario Molina, renowned atmospheric chemist and MIT Institute Professor Emeritus, shared the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) had the potential to destroy the ozone layer in the Earth’s stratosphere. He was on the faculty of MIT from 1989 to his retirement in 2004. Mario Molina was the gentle giant of his age in environmental science, a wise mentor to his students, and respectful of others no matter their rank or status.
Past recipients include:
Marcelo Mena
2007
Guohui Li
2010 – Advisor: Luisa Molina
Victor Almanza Veloz
2013 – Advisor: Ronald Prinn
Damian Bikiel
2014 – Advisor: Ronald Prinn
Rui Zhao
2021 – Advisor: Andrew Babbin
Nicolas Perez Consuegra
2021 – Advisor: Taylor Perron
Oritz, Hugo
2023 – Advisor: William Frank
MIT is an equal opportunity employer.
We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin. See MIT’s full policy on nondiscrimination.
MIT considers equivalent combinations of experience and education for certain jobs. All candidates who believe they possess equivalent experience and education are encouraged to apply.
Employment is contingent upon the complete of a satisfactory background check.
Labor Condition Application Notifications
These US Department of Labor required notices serve to inform interested parties that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology submits applications for H-1B non-immigrants for certain academic and research positions.
