The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute invites applications for Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowships to begin in the fall of 2014. Fellowships are available for outstanding recent postdoctoral scientists to conduct independent research that is broadly related to the science goals of NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration program. Fellowship duration is of three years which covers stipend, health care, moving expenses, research budget and the overhead costs of host institution. The fellowships are tenable at U.S. host institutions of the fellows’ choice. International students are eligible to apply for this fellowship. Applicants must have a PhD degree in astronomy, physics. Online application must be submitted by November 7, 2013.
Study Subject (s): The fellowship is awarded for the scientific and technical goals of NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program, namely the discovery and characterization of planetary systems and Earth-like planets around nearby stars, while at the same time broadening the research community that is actively involved in developing and applying these research techniques and technologies.
Course Level: This fellowship is available for pursuing postdoctoral program at U.S. host institutions of the fellows’ choice.
Scholarship Provider: The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute
Scholarship can be taken at: USA (The fellowships are tenable at U.S. host institutions of the fellows’ choice).
Eligibility:
- Eligible applicants are those who have received a PhD in astronomy, space physics, or related disciplines within the last 3 years.
- Also eligible are current PhD students who will have fulfilled all requirements to receive a PhD before the start of the funding period, typically the beginning of September.
- The applicant must propose to conduct research at a university or research institution in the United States with an established program in the field of the proposed research.
- An established program shall be defined as at least one faculty member who is engaged in the proposed field through dedicated facilities or instruments, collaborations with existing projects or projects under development or a record of significant contributions to the field.
- The intent of this requirement is to guarantee the student a rich and stimulating environment rather than restricting the field of eligible institutions.
- Eligible applications must include a letter of endorsement from the proposed institution.
Scholarship Open for Students of Following Countries: International Students are eligible for this postdoctoral fellowship.
Scholarship Description: The proposed research may be theoretical, observational, or instrumental. This program is open to applicants of any nationality who have earned (or will have earned) their doctoral degrees on or after January 1, 2011, in astronomy, physics, or related disciplines. The fellowships are tenable at U.S. host institutions of the fellows’ choice, subject to a maximum of one new fellow per host institution per year (see note on host institutions below). The duration of the fellowship is up to three years: an initial one-year appointment and two annual renewals contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of NASA funds. We accept the submission of up to two host institutions. The purpose of designating first and second-choice institutions in the application are to provide the program with flexibility should there be several highly ranked applications at any single institution. Barring this circumstance, it is expected that awardees will use their Fellowships at their first-choice institutions. Note that letters of endorsement are required from each of the proposed host institutions.
Number of award(s): Seven fellowships are awarded in 2014.
Duration of award(s): The duration of the fellowship is up to three years: an initial one-year appointment and two annual renewals contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of NASA funds.
What does it cover? The fellowship will cover health care costs for your spouse (and any children) up to the amount available per year, but must be written into the contract. The stipend should be increased by $1000 each year.
Selection Criteria: Not Known
Notification: Offers will be made before February 1, 2014, and new appointments are expected to begin on or about September 1, 2014.
How to Apply: The mode of applying is online.
Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is November 7, 2013.
