Prize Fellowships at STScI: Giacconi, Lasker and Exoplanet Science

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) invites applications for 3 Prize Fellowships—Giacconi, Lasker Data Science, and Exoplanet Science—to start in Fall 2025. We encourage applications from passionate and self-motivated postdoctoral researchers with expertise in any research area of astronomy or planetary science, whether observational, theoretical, or instrumental.

Giacconi Fellowship

The Giacconi Fellowship, named in honor of the first director of STScI and Nobel Prize winner Riccardo Giacconi, provides up to three years of support for postdoctoral researchers in any field of astronomy, astrophysics, or planetary science. The research may be observational, theoretical, or instrumental. We particularly encourage applicants whose research programs align with the institute’s current missions, or the growth areas identified in the recent Decadal Survey.

Lasker Data Science Fellowship

The Barry M. Lasker Data Science Postdoctoral Fellowship provides up to three years of support for postdoctoral researchers in any area of astronomy, astrophysics, or planetary science for whom data science is an integral part of their research. This includes scientific discovery achieved through the use and/or development of large astronomical databases, data visualization and discovery tools, image processing, data management, machine learning methods, and modern statistical methods. The growing size of modern datasets, such as large sky surveys, will increasingly require data science solutions or the interdisciplinary application of new data science methods to enable astronomical research. We particularly encourage applicants who are actively planning to exploit the massive influx of data from the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (Roman), which is planned for launch in late 2026.

Exoplanet Science Fellowship

The Exoplanet Science Fellowship provides up to three years of support for postdoctoral researchers working on innovative scientific studies in any area of exoplanet research. STScI serves as the Science Operations Center for Hubble and JWST, supports the archives for Kepler/K2 and TESS and is developing the Science Operations Center for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which includes a primary science focus on exoplanet discovery via micro-lensing. We particularly encourage applicants who will take advantage of the opportunities afforded by data from these missions.

Prize Fellowships include an annual salary of approximately $75,525, generous benefits, including some support for relocation, and $17,500 per year to cover research expenses. The duration of each fellowship is up to three years. Fellows are resident at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore.

Applicants are expected to hold a PhD in astronomy, physics or a related field at the time of the commencement of the fellowship, but there are no further restrictions on the date of PhD degree. The selection will be based on the accomplishments and proposed research of the applicants, accounting for career stage and likely availability of resources. Applicants will automatically be considered for all open Fellowships.

Further information about all of our fellowship opportunities can be found at: https://www.stsci.edu/stsci-research/fellowships. Questions about this opportunity should be sent to fellowships@stsci.edu.

Applicants should submit the following materials in a single pdf file:

1) a cover letter (maximum 2 pages),

2) a curriculum vitae and list of publications,

3) a research statement describing past, current and proposed research (maximum 4 pages).

References will not count towards the page limits. Strong applications will address why the applicant wishes to work at STScI, highlight synergies with STScI’s goals, missions, research, and staff, and explain how holding a Prize Fellowship at STScI will support their scientific development and career goals. Applicants should also submit the names of three individuals who can provide letters of reference on their behalf.

ONLY use this link to apply:  https://stsci.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/80668/SPn6EHL6mT

The STScI on-line application portal will be activated on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Applications received by Thursday, October 24, 2024 11:59pm EDT will receive full consideration.

Letters of reference will be requested only for long-listed candidates. We anticipate requesting letters on Thursday, December 12, 2024, with a deadline of Thursday, December 19, 2024, but these dates are subject to change depending on our internal processes. Applicants should contact their letter writers separately to let them know when letters requests are anticipated. Any letter writers who would like to submit letters early, without knowing if they will be required, may contact fellowships@stsci.edu.

Candidates will be notified of the results of the selection process by late January 2025. Fellowships will begin in the second half of 2025.

STScI occupies two sites surrounding the campus of the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) in Baltimore, MD. It maintains close connections with the JHU Physics and Astronomy Department and is a partner in the Pan-STARRS, LSST and SDSS V consortia. STScI values diversity and has mentoring programs and access to annual training programs. The research environment engages, stimulates and supports a diverse international research staff with over 120 members. Research projects (http://www.stsci.edu/stsci-research) span a wide range of topics and include collaborations with postdoctoral researchers, research support analysts and JHU graduate students, as well as researchers from other institutions. Researchers lead the organization of annual workshops and symposia, and participate in the activities of the very successful office of public outreach. Functionally, research staff members support the wider community through calibration and characterization of current and upcoming instrumentation, development of tools for analyses of archival holdings, and overall mission planning. Research-staff members also help to formulate the strategic goals of the Institute.

The diversity of the STScI staff enhances the dynamic and collegial atmosphere of our scientific community, and reflects our commitment to inclusivity in the broadest sense. Accordingly, women, minorities, veterans, and disabled individuals are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, STScI does not discriminate because of race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, or mental or physical handicap. Veterans, disabled or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process can contact us at careers@stsci.edu.

Salaries and benefits are commensurate with those of AURA member universities. Included Benefits:

• Medical, dental, prescription, and vision;
• Vacation: Up to 5 weeks of paid vacation a year;
• Sick Leave: Up to 12 sick days a year;
• Paid Holidays: 7 regular holidays and 3 personal holidays;
• Employer-sponsored Retirement Plan: direct company contribution;
• Employee Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan;
• Flexible Work Schedules;
• Telecommuting Options Available;
• Free Parking; Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Employee Assistance Program;
• Company-paid Life, Short-term Disability, and Long-term Disability.