Career Center

The Earth and Planets Laboratory (EPL), a division of the Carnegie Institution for Science, invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships at its campus in Washington, DC. Multiple positions are available.  EPL scientists engage in observational, experimental and theoretical research in fields including geophysics, geodynamics, geochemistry, geobiology, volcanology, experimental petrology and mineral physics, planetary science, cosmochemistry, astrobiology, astronomy, data science, and the chemistry and physics of materials.  Fellows conduct independent research in collaboration with Carnegie scientists, and their primary field of research should overlap with one or more of the areas listed above. Interdisciplinary research and collaboration with multiple research areas on campus is encouraged. New fellows will join a supportive community of about 25 postdoctoral scientists and 30 staff and research scientists engaged in understanding the origin and evolution of Earth and planets and materials under extreme conditions. More information about our research and facilities can be viewed at https://epl.carnegiescience.edu and about our postdoctoral fellowships and experience at https://epl.carnegiescience.edu/postdoctoral.

Our postdoctoral fellows have access to: world-class laboratory facilities in analytical geochemistry and cosmochemistry, high-pressure research, materials structure and properties characterization, and astrobiology; computational facilities to support theoretical and data-analytic investigations; and Carnegie’s Las Campanas Observatory. Funding is available for travel to scientific conferences, user facilities, and observation sites, as well as publications. At EPL, we value a culture of mentoring and offer professional development opportunities specifically for post-doctoral scientists. The Carnegie Institution strives to enable a scientifically excellent, equitable, and inclusive community and, therefore, aims for diverse groups of people to collaborate and thrive.

Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded once a year. The Fellowship is initially for one year but is typically renewed for up to a total of 2 years. The positions allow start dates between July 1 and December 31, 2024. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field at the time of the start of the Fellowship. The principal selection criteria will be research accomplishment, promise of future achievement, originality and achievability of the research proposal, independence, and relevance to the ongoing scientific pursuits at EPL. Only complete applications submitted online at https://jobs.carnegiescience.edu/jobs/postdoctoral-fellowships-at-the-earth-and-planets-laboratory/ will be considered and must include: 1) a cover letter (1 page max), 2) curriculum vitae, 3) list of publications; 4) research plan/proposal (4 pages max, inclusive of figures and references), 5) a brief description of previous research (3 pages max, all-inclusive); and 6) contact information for three references familiar with the applicant’s work who will submit letters of support.  Applicants may use the cover letter to describe their prior, ongoing, and/or new ideas for efforts to create an equitable, positive, and inclusive working environment. The deadline for all application materials is November 13, 2023. Address any questions to eplfellowship@carnegiescience.edu.

Carnegie Institution for Science has a long-standing commitment to equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration of employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Candidates of any nationality are eligible to apply. Contact us if you would like more information on how we help with visas. Postdoctoral fellows are employees and receive benefits associated with employment; see https://hr.carnegiescience.edu/offering/postdoctoral-fellow.

Related URLs:

Carnegie EPL

Las Campanas Observatory

Carnegie Institution for Science

Application Deadline: Monday, November 13, 2023

Current Status of Position: Accepting Applicants

Attention To: Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowship Applications Committee

Subject: Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships

Email: eplfellowship@carnegiescience.edu

About Carnegie Science Earth and Planets Laboratory

Andrew Carnegie founded the Carnegie Institution of Washington (Carnegie Science) in 1902 as an organization for scientific discovery. His intention was for the institution to be home to exceptional individuals—men and women with imagination and extraordinary dedication capable of working at the cutting edge of their fields. Carnegie scientists have worked in six scientific departments on the West and East Coasts. The Earth and Planets Laboratory is a department of Carnegie Science dedicated to understanding the Earth and its place in the universe. The Earth and Planets Laboratory is located on Carnegie Science’s Broad Branch Road campus in Northwest Washington, DC. Over the past century, our researchers have made scientific contributions to everything from evidence of the existence of dark matter to the development of Pyrex glass. In 2020, we merged the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism (est.1904) and the Geophysical Lab (est.1905) to create a new multidisciplinary department. By joining our more than a century of cutting-edge science, our researchers are better suited than ever to collaborate, discover, and innovate.

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