The Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (KIPAC) at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is a vibrant research institute focused on answering a wide range of exciting and fundamental questions in astrophysics and cosmology.
We offer postdoctoral opportunities for recent Ph.D. scientists in astrophysics, cosmology, and extrasolar planetary science. These positions offer opportunities to develop innovative research programs in these areas using computational, experimental, observational, and theoretical approaches. Existing research programs at KIPAC include studies of dark energy, cosmic dynamics and structure formation, galaxy formation, and the physics of inflation, studies of and searches for dark matter, and studies of black holes, galaxies, clusters of galaxies, stars (including the sun), extrasolar planets, and other astrophysical sources. A list of research interests of KIPAC Senior Members is here.
If you are on the job market, or intend to be in the near future, you may be interested in applying to give a Tea Talk at KIPAC.
Kavli and Porat Fellowships
The Kavli and Porat Fellowship programs are three-year fellowships that offer outstanding young scientists with experience in computation, instrumentation, observation and theory opportunities to develop innovative research programs in astrophysics and cosmology. Kavli and Porat Fellows will have the freedom to set their own research direction, and will also have KIPAC faculty mentors and the opportunity to collaborate with existing KIPAC groups.
KIPAC Rubin Fellowships
We plan to award a new fellowship starting in Fall 2023, focused on any area of Rubin / LSST Science. Fellows will have the opportunity to build an independent research program, and collaborate with members of KIPAC, the Rubin operations team and data facilities teams at SLAC, and active members of the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration and other LSST Science Collaborations at KIPAC and SLAC. Applications are encouraged from scientists interested in any area that can be pursued with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and LSST data.
KIPAC Postdocs
Additional opportunities may be available with specific projects or PIs at KIPAC. Applicants to our Fellowship Program will be considered for all available KIPAC opportunities. In 2022, we expect to further consider applicants for the following areas (not exclusive):
- Cosmic microwave background science analyses (contact Zeeshan Ahmed and Shawn Henderson)
- LZ Dark Matter Group (contact Maria Elena Monzani)
- X-ray astrophysics or instrumentation (contact Steve Allen)
- Cosmic Magnetism and Interstellar Physics Group (contact Susan Clark)
- Galaxy formation and cosmology group (contact Risa Wechsler)
- Survey cosmology with DESI, Rubin, and CMB surveys (contact Emmanuel Schaan)
- Joint positions with Stanford Data Science
- Positions at the interface between Cosmic Frontier (dark matter, dark energy, and inflation) and ML/AI.
- High-Energy Astrophysics with the Fermi Large Area Telescope: studying Cosmic Rays and the Interstellar Medium (contact Troy Porter)
Applications for the 2023 Kavli Fellowship, KIPAC Rubin Fellowship and other KIPAC postdoctoral positions are now closed.
Stanford Science Fellowships
We are very pleased that Stanford University has introduced a new Stanford Science Fellows program in the mathematical, physical, and life sciences for exceptionally qualified early-career scientists, with no more than two years of postdoctoral experience. Fellows will pursue an independent research program and will have the opportunity to join one or more faculty research groups. The program will include community-building activities to foster career development and leadership skills, and workshops, seminars, informal lunches and dinners, and discussions with Stanford faculty and visitors on current topics throughout the natural sciences.
All astrophysics applicants for the Stanford Science Fellows program will be automatically considered for a KIPAC Fellowship as well (see above). We do ask applicants to submit an application to the KIPAC Fellowship program as well, just so we know which of the various KIPAC programs they are interested in, but the research proposal, CV etc can either be identical to those submitted to the Stanford Science Fellows program, or these materials can be omitted entirely (to save time for the applicant).
Applications for 2023 Stanford Science Fellowships are now closed.
Stanford Data Science Fellows
Stanford Data Science seeks recent Ph.D.s of exceptional promise for postdoctoral fellow positions in interdisciplinary research with expertise in both Data Science AND its application in a domain of scholarship, like physical, earth, life, or social sciences, humanities and the arts, business, law, medicine, education, or engineering. Apply now for 2023 – 2026. The deadline for applications is December 19, 2022.
Apply for Stanford Data Science Fellowships here
External Fellowships
We are happy to support applications for external Fellowships resident at KIPAC. Interested prospective postdocs are encouraged to contact a KIPAC Senior Member with overlapping research interests about their application. If you have questions about the broader impacts part of an NSF postdoctoral application, please contact Xinnan Du to learn more about the institute's current efforts in public engagement and broadening participation, and how we can support your proposed efforts.
[New!] Brinson Prize Fellowships in Cosmology @ KIPAC
A new fellowship is being offered by the Brinson Foundation, in collaboration with STScI. The fellowship will support early-career astrophysicists and cosmologists doing research in observational cosmology. KIPAC is pleased to be one of the four inaugural host institutions available for the fellowship. Please contact any of our Senior Members about possible mentorship for the fellowship.
Apply for the Brinson Fellowship here
Other External Fellowships
- NASA Hubble/Einstein/Sagan Fellowships
- NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships
- NSF MPS-Ascend Fellowships
- LSSTC Catalyst Fellowships
- Jansky Fellowships
Panofsky Fellowship at SLAC
The Panofsky Fellowship is a five-year fellowship, intended to recognize exceptional and promising young scientists who would most benefit from the unique opportunity to conduct their research at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, including research in all of the leading Cosmic Frontier surveys (DES, DESI, LSST, and CMB-S4) as well as theoretical and computational cosmology.The Panofsky Fellowship provides a pathway to a continuing staff appointment at SLAC, and provides generous research support including funding for a postdoctoral researcher.
Application information about 2023 Panofsky Fellowships is here.
Postdoc Life at KIPAC
KIPAC is committed to an inclusive work environment and especially encourages applications from candidates who will diversity the workforce in astrophysics and cosmology.
KIPAC postdocs are engaged in a wide range of research topics and projects at the Institute.
Our interests span instrumentation, observational and theoretical (both simulations and analytical) work, and exploration of fundamental physics. KIPAC offers access to excellent laboratory facilities for instrument development and significant computational resources for theoretical astrophysics research and data analysis. KIPAC also provides the opportunity to participate in cross-disciplinary activities through the Stanford Data Science Initiative.
We have a vibrant postdoc community, which has a number of self-organized initiatives and events. Many KIPAC postdocs are also actively engaged in outreach activities at the institute and in the community.
If you have already received an offer from KIPAC, please take a look at our information for new KIPAC members. We look forward to welcoming you to our KIPAC community. Further information about postdoc benefits at Stanford can be found here: