CfA AstroAI Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) is a joint institution with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) and the Harvard College Observatory (HCO). The CfA is a diverse astrophysical institution where more than 800 staff and students are engaged in a broad program of research and education in astronomy, astrophysics, and earth, planetary and space sciences. The CfA is at the international forefront of the scientific exploration of the universe. Our research covers theoretical astrophysics, observational ground and space-based astronomy, engineering and technology development, and education. The research objectives of the CfA are carried out primarily with support from the federal government, the Smithsonian Institution, Harvard, and philanthropy. At the CfA, the next generation of scientific leaders are being trained and mentored through a broad range of postdoctoral positions and fellowships as well as graduate and undergraduate student programs. 

The mission of the CfA Postdoctoral Fellowship program at SAO is to foster innovative astrophysics research by providing independent researchers full access to the facilities, research staff, and resources of the CfA.

Applications are now open for the CfA AstroAI Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Successful candidates will be outstanding researchers with demonstrated promise in theory, observation, instrumentation, engineering, and/or laboratory or experimental astrophysics who have experience with AI methods and have applied those methods to physical or astronomical systems.  Open to all qualified applicants who are English-speaking citizens from any nation.

About the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA)

The CfA is known for its leadership in theoretical, observational and laboratory astrophysics, and for its observational programs across the electromagnetic spectrum. The CfA also includes highly successful instrument development teams and facility operations expertise.  Fellows are encouraged to use the combined resources and facilities of the CfA’s two collaborating observatories – the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Harvard College Observatory. 

Through the CfA’s operational agreements with its partners, Fellows can propose for CfA-allocated observing time on the MMT in Arizona, the Magellan Telescopes in Chile, and the Submillimeter Array in Hawai’i. Fellows participate in ground- and space-based observing programs including but not limited to the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the Event Horizon Telescope, the TEMPO satellite instrument for pollution monitoring, the Parker Solar Probe, the James Webb Space Telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, Kepler K2, the Solar Dynamics Observatory, and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array. The CfA is a founding member of the Giant Magellan Telescope project and operates a world-class engineering program that develops leading ground and space telescope instrumentation. The CfA has emerging programs in artificial intelligence and data science. The CfA also offers a number of specialized laboratories and numerous research initiatives open to Fellows that focus on a particular research area (for example in black holes, theoretical astrophysics, and the origins of life), where interdisciplinary, cross-institutional collaborative research is the central organizing principle.  

Currently led by Director Lisa Kewley, the CfA provides a dynamic range of weekly luncheons, colloquia, journal clubs, daily coffees, and divisional events. The CfA also supports many other formal and informal opportunities for the exchange of ideas and professional development in a diverse scientific community. Fellows have access to institution-wide funding for organizing workshops, conferences, and visitor programs. 

The CfA is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a vibrant community in the Boston metropolitan area, known for excellent universities, colleges, and public schools, world renowned medical facilities and teaching hospitals, a dynamic technology hub, a lively art scene, passionate sports fans, and diverse cultures. Cambridge is also a two to three hour drive to downhill and cross-country skiing, cycling, and hiking in the White, Green and Berkshire mountains, and many Atlantic Ocean beaches and craggy coastlines are nearby.

About the CfA AstroAI Postdoctoral Fellowship

The AstroAI Fellows program seeks to advance the integration of artificial intelligence in astrophysical research by attracting exceptional early-career researchers. Fellows will engage in innovative projects at the intersection of AI and astrophysics, fostering interdisciplinary, multi-investigator, and cross-subfield collaborations.

We aim to appoint one new AstroAI Fellow for a term of two years, renewable for up to three years.

Applicants should have, or be expected to receive by the start date, a Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field. We particularly welcome applicants with a strong foundation in theoretical or computational physics who have experience with AI methods, as well as those with backgrounds in machine learning, computer vision, or generative modeling who have experience applying these techniques to physical or astronomical systems.

AstroAI Fellows enjoy a high degree of academic freedom in defining their research directions within the broad AstroAI framework. While all innovative proposals at the intersection of AI and astrophysics are welcome, special consideration will be given to projects focused on (1) the search for biosignatures in exoplanet atmospheres, and (2) the development and application of Physical Generative AI models—AI generative models that respect fundamental physical principles. Each Fellow will be co-mentored by two advisors—one from astrophysics and one from AI—reflecting the program’s interdisciplinary mission.

The fellowship will take place at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA)—a joint institution uniting the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) and the Harvard College Observatory (HCO). The CfA is a diverse and dynamic research community of more than 800 staff and students engaged in a broad program of research and education spanning astronomy, astrophysics, and Earth and space sciences. Our work encompasses theoretical and observational astrophysics, ground- and space-based astronomy, instrumentation and technology development, and education.

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the CfA offers an inspiring environment within the greater Boston area—a hub of scientific innovation, culture, and learning. Cambridge combines world-class universities and research centers with vibrant arts, outdoor recreation, and easy access to the mountains and the Atlantic coast.

Fellowship Summary

• Institution: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
• Number of Positions Available: 1
• Research Arrangement: In-Person
• Year 1 stipend of $83,742
• Year 2 stipend of $83,742
• Funding for health and dental benefits for the Fellow (and dependents if applicable), which are provided at no cost to the Fellow

The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian Fellowships do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, gender stereotyping, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, parental status, or marital status of any applicant.  

• Only online applications submitted through https://solaa.si.edu/ will be considered (program name CfA AstroAI Postdoctoral Fellowship).

Please direct questions to the Fellowship Coordinator:  [email protected].