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.
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 $75,000, full coverage of premiums for affiliate health and basic dental and vision insurance, and an allowance of $5,000 per year for research and relocation expenses. MIT postdoctoral researchers receive mentoring and opportunities for career development throughout the postdoctoral period.
Application Information
The application period for the 2024-25 academic year is currently closed. Please check back for information and deadlines for the next application cycle, which will be open in fall 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 (including figures but excluding references) of research to be conducted during the fellowship
- Three reference letters to be provided separately by referees
Start dates are flexible, but should ideally fall between June 1 and January 31 of the following academic year. 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.
Fellowship Details
Each selected fellow is appointed to a named fellowship depending on disciplinary interests.
Crosby Postdoctoral Fellowship
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
Saverio Cambioni
Lubna Shawar
Tushar Mittal
Elizabeth Troein
Athena Eyster
Houghton Postdoctoral Fellowship
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
Qindan Zhu
Wanying Kang
Janni Yuval
Yidongfang Si
Molina Postdoctoral Fellowship
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
Nicolas Perez Consuegra
Rui Zhao
Damian Bikiel
Victor Almanza Veloz
Guohui Li
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
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