Postdoctoral Fellowship Support

1.  Fellowships

Kadanoff-Rice Fellowship

Scientists recently receiving a PhD in physics, chemistry, engineering, or related fields are invited to apply for these positions. Successful applicants will conduct original research in experimental, theoretical or computational materials science and engineering in collaboration with one or more MRSEC research groups. These fellowships provide a half-stipend  for up to two years (at the advisor's discretion) plus a $5000 travel budget.

The MRSEC provides a stimulating interdisciplinary environment. Current topics of interest to its faculty include  trainable soft materials, activated architectured materials, and the transmission of quantum information in materials. See https://mrsec.uchicago.edu/research/ for more descriptive information.  The MRSEC has an active program of visitors, symposia, and meetings as well as Industrial and Educational Outreach opportunities. 

The competition for these positions are conducted internally and requires sponsorship by a MRSEC faculty member. 

Graduate students and postdocs, not currently at the University of Chicago, who would like to be considered for this fellowship should contact potential faculty advisors (https://mrsec.uchicago.edu/people/#faculty), arrange for their sponsorship, and ask to be nominated. The faculty member(s) will likely need to have a copy of your application materials (see below) and will request that you meet other prerequisites (e.g. interview).  The faculty member(s) will then forward the application materials, in addition to a letter outlining the special expertise you will bring to the MRSEC research agenda and/or potential colaborations that will likely arise, to the appropriate MRSEC administrator.

Postdocs, currently at the University and working with MRSEC faculty, who would like to apply, should provide application materials to their advisor and request a nomination.

A complete application contains

  • a C.V.
  • three letters of recommendation
  • a short (<1 page) document written by the candidate describing their commitment to collaborative research and, if appropriate, diversity in materials research
  • a nomination letter from the MRSEC faculty member explaining why the candidate should be a Kadanoff-Rice Fellow.

The criteria for selecting the recipients are (i) excellence in research and (ii) interdisciplinary research interests. Priority is given to attracting new postdocs to our campus and/or to those who will bring a diverse perspective to the study of materials research.

Underrepresented minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.   
 

Competition Schedule.  (For each cycle, up to 2 Kadanoff-Rice postdoctoral fellows will be selected)

Application Deadline Decision Notification
Fall 2023 November 1, 2023 December 1, 2023
Spring 2024 April 15, 2024 May 15, 2024
Fall 2024 October 15, 2024 November 15, 2024
Spring 2025 March 15, 2025 April 15, 2025


See list of Current and Former Kadanoff-Rice Fellows
 

2. Support for Minority and Female Candidates

Funds have been set aside to increase the number of underrepresented minority postdocs who participate in MRSEC research. Following the NSF, underrepresented minorities in this context are defined as African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders. If you are planning to employ underrepresented minority or female postdocs in your MRSEC research, contact the MRSEC Director about additional MRSEC support.