Applying for Membership
Overview:
The School of Natural Sciences will have several openings for members for the academic year 2025-2026. The positions are at a postdoctoral or higher level in the areas of theoretical astrophysics, biology, cosmology, mathematical physics, quantum field theory, particle phenomenology, string theory and quantum gravity. Members are selected on their ability to conduct independent research and are free to work full-time on problems in which they are interested. The Institute program is closely integrated with the corresponding activities at Princeton University via joint seminars, lunches, and frequent informal contacts. In any given year, some of the members will collaborate with each other, with relevant Institute faculty members, with scientists at other Institutions, or with faculty at nearby Princeton, Rutgers or the Flatiron Institute and other universities in the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas.
We strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, and mid-career scientists (5-10 years from PhD).
Description of Positions:
Postdoctoral Members: Appointments are typically for three years with full stipend support. We aim to provide Members with an environment where they can achieve their maximum scientific potential. For Members who are still in their scientifically formative years, this environment includes the mentoring needed to enable them to become future leaders. We offer competitive stipends, eligibility for on-campus housing, and other professional resources.
We also have an available position in Computational Astrophysics for the academic year 2025-2026. This is in addition to the regular postdoctoral membership positions. The position will be to support development of advanced numerical methods for astrophysical fluid dynamics and numerical relativity, and to plan, execute, and analyze large scale numerical simulations of MHD turbulence in accretion disks and compact object mergers on the upcoming Horizon computer system scheduled to be installed at the Texas Advanced Computing Center in 2026. Click here for the full job ad on the AAS register: https://aas.org/jobregister/ad/dcd48d17
Long-term (5 year) Members and Bahcall Fellows: All postdoctoral applicants are considered for a few memberships offered to candidates of exceptional promise and scientific maturity. Stipend is above postdoctoral level and is commensurate with qualifications. In addition to exceptional qualifications for pursuing his or her individual research, the successful candidate for a long-term membership should be interested in talking to, and possibly collaborating with, other postdoctoral members.
Visiting Professorships: Applicants should hold a faculty or equivalent position and should be within ten years of receiving their Ph.D. Support will be provided to spend a period between one term and one year at the Institute. Visiting Professors are expected to conduct their own research and to help make the research environment at the IAS stimulating to the other Members of the school.
Sabbaticals: A small number of senior scientists can usually be accommodated on sabbatical leave. Appointments range from a few months to a full academic year. Stipend support varies with the length of the visit and the amount of support being provided by the visitor's home institution, or by an outside fellowship.
Visitors: Appointments can be from a few weeks to a few months. Stipend support varies with the length of the visit and the amount of support being provided by the visitor's home institution, or by an outside fellowship.
Physics and Astrophysics applicants must apply through AcademicJobsOnline (click on this link for application). Required materials are: CV that includes a publications list, research statement (limited to three pages, include current and future research interests, and formatted with one-inch margins.), three separate PDF files of recently written papers, and three letters of recommendation. All materials should be uploaded directly through the AJO website. Visiting Professor and Sabbatical applications do not require reference letters.
Physics and Astrophysics applications must be received by November 15.
Biology applicants should not apply through AdacemicJobsOnline. All interested applicants to Biology should submit the following required materials: a CV, publications list, research statement and three letters of recommendation. Please email these materials to Audrey Smerkanich at audrey@ias.edu. (Note that Visiting Professor and Sabbatical applications do not require reference letters.) There is no deadline for biology applications.