The application site for the 2024 postdoctoral fellows cohort is now closed. We will be accepting applications for the 2025 cohort from July 29, 2024 until October 11, 2024.
The Santa Fe Institute Complexity Postdoctoral Fellowships, comprising the Omidyar Fellowships, are unique among postdoctoral appointments. The Fellowships offer early-career scholars the opportunity to undertake their own independent research within a collaborative research community that nurtures creative, transdisciplinary thought in pursuit of key insights about the complex systems that matter most for science and society. The Institute rejects compartmentalized thought common in academia. Instead, SFI scientists transcend boundaries between fields, freely synthesizing ideas spanning many disciplines – from math, physics, computer science and biology to the social sciences and the humanities – in pursuit of creative insights that advance our scientific frontiers.
Postdoctoral Fellows spend up to three years in residence at SFI, where they contribute to SFI’s research in the sciences of complexity and are trained to become leaders in interdisciplinary science. As thought leaders who shape the future of science, Postdoctoral Fellows also participate in a unique training program structured to develop leadership skills throughout their three-year residencies and beyond. The Institute provides an opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers worldwide, discretionary and collaborative funds, and a competitive salary with a generous benefit package including paid family leave.
The Institute has no formal programs or departments. Research is collaborative and spans the physical, natural, and social sciences. Most research is theoretical (SFI does not have lab facilities) and/or computational in nature, although it may include an empirical component. SFI has 21 postdoctoral researchers, 10 resident faculty, 100+ external faculty, and averages 1000 visitors per year. Descriptions of the research themes and interests of the faculty and current Fellows can be found at SFI Research.
Requirements
a Ph.D. in any scientific discipline granted within 6 years of the application deadline or completed prior to September 2025
strong quantitative and computational skills
an exemplary academic recorda proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively
a demonstrated interest in transdisciplinary research
evidence of the ability to think beyond traditional paradigms
SFI is an equal-opportunity employer. Women, veterans, and members of underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. SFI is responsive to the needs of dual-career couples and is committed to building a culturally diverse research environment.
U.S. citizenship is not a requirement, however, you must be legally able to work in the US. SFI will sponsor a J1 Visa for successful candidates. SFI is not able to sponsor an H1B Visa for candidates.
You will be asked to provide the following application materials:
1. Curriculum vitae (including publication list).
2. Statement of research interests (max. 2 pages) including a summary of the research you would like to pursue and why, and what your broader interests are.
3. Description of interest in SFI (max. 1 page) that describes your potential contribution to the SFI community and also explains the potential impact of SFI on your research. Consider addressing one or more of the following: What kind of input from other fields would most improve your future research? What type of multidisciplinary workshop might you want to organize during your Fellowship? What aspects of your present or future research are difficult to pursue in a traditional academic environment? What experiences, if any, do you have related to SFI's goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive scientific community?
4. Three letters of recommendation from scholars who know your work.
(SFI will contact your recommenders directly with instructions for submitting letters. These letters will be sent independently of the application direct to SFI. When you start completing the online application, please complete this segment early so that recommenders have time to send the letter. Be prepared to provide names and e-mail addresses for the three individuals who will recommend you.)
5. (Optional) A copy of one paper you have written in English, either published or unpublished.
6. (Optional) Diversity form.
Invitations to interview at SFI in January will be sent to successful candidates in early-December 2024.
For the 2025 cohort: Historically we have conducted candidate interviews in person in early January in Santa Fe, NM. All interviews take place over two days, plus travel time. New Complexity Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to begin their appointment no earlier than June 2025 and no later than January 2026.
For additional information or assistance please email Hilary Skolnik hilary@santafe.edu
PLEASE NOTE: If you don't already have a SURVEY MONKEY APPLY account you will need to REGISTER for one before you apply.
Complexity Postdoctoral Fellowship
The application site for the 2024 postdoctoral fellows cohort is now closed. We will be accepting applications for the 2025 cohort from July 29, 2024 until October 11, 2024.
The Santa Fe Institute Complexity Postdoctoral Fellowships, comprising the Omidyar Fellowships, are unique among postdoctoral appointments. The Fellowships offer early-career scholars the opportunity to undertake their own independent research within a collaborative research community that nurtures creative, transdisciplinary thought in pursuit of key insights about the complex systems that matter most for science and society. The Institute rejects compartmentalized thought common in academia. Instead, SFI scientists transcend boundaries between fields, freely synthesizing ideas spanning many disciplines – from math, physics, computer science and biology to the social sciences and the humanities – in pursuit of creative insights that advance our scientific frontiers.
Postdoctoral Fellows spend up to three years in residence at SFI, where they contribute to SFI’s research in the sciences of complexity and are trained to become leaders in interdisciplinary science. As thought leaders who shape the future of science, Postdoctoral Fellows also participate in a unique training program structured to develop leadership skills throughout their three-year residencies and beyond. The Institute provides an opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers worldwide, discretionary and collaborative funds, and a competitive salary with a generous benefit package including paid family leave.
The Institute has no formal programs or departments. Research is collaborative and spans the physical, natural, and social sciences. Most research is theoretical (SFI does not have lab facilities) and/or computational in nature, although it may include an empirical component. SFI has 21 postdoctoral researchers, 10 resident faculty, 100+ external faculty, and averages 1000 visitors per year. Descriptions of the research themes and interests of the faculty and current Fellows can be found at SFI Research.
Requirements
a Ph.D. in any scientific discipline granted within 6 years of the application deadline or completed prior to September 2025
strong quantitative and computational skills
an exemplary academic recorda proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively
a demonstrated interest in transdisciplinary research
evidence of the ability to think beyond traditional paradigms
SFI is an equal-opportunity employer. Women, veterans, and members of underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. SFI is responsive to the needs of dual-career couples and is committed to building a culturally diverse research environment.
U.S. citizenship is not a requirement, however, you must be legally able to work in the US. SFI will sponsor a J1 Visa for successful candidates. SFI is not able to sponsor an H1B Visa for candidates.
You will be asked to provide the following application materials:
1. Curriculum vitae (including publication list).
2. Statement of research interests (max. 2 pages) including a summary of the research you would like to pursue and why, and what your broader interests are.
3. Description of interest in SFI (max. 1 page) that describes your potential contribution to the SFI community and also explains the potential impact of SFI on your research. Consider addressing one or more of the following: What kind of input from other fields would most improve your future research? What type of multidisciplinary workshop might you want to organize during your Fellowship? What aspects of your present or future research are difficult to pursue in a traditional academic environment? What experiences, if any, do you have related to SFI's goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive scientific community?
4. Three letters of recommendation from scholars who know your work.
(SFI will contact your recommenders directly with instructions for submitting letters. These letters will be sent independently of the application direct to SFI. When you start completing the online application, please complete this segment early so that recommenders have time to send the letter. Be prepared to provide names and e-mail addresses for the three individuals who will recommend you.)
5. (Optional) A copy of one paper you have written in English, either published or unpublished.
6. (Optional) Diversity form.
Invitations to interview at SFI in January will be sent to successful candidates in early-December 2024.
For the 2025 cohort: Historically we have conducted candidate interviews in person in early January in Santa Fe, NM. All interviews take place over two days, plus travel time. New Complexity Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to begin their appointment no earlier than June 2025 and no later than January 2026.
For additional information or assistance please email Hilary Skolnik hilary@santafe.edu
PLEASE NOTE: If you don't already have a SURVEY MONKEY APPLY account you will need to REGISTER for one before you apply.