Earth Institute (EI) Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

About the Program:The Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship program is the premier program in the world for those dedicated to a better understanding of critical scientific and social issues in global sustainable development. Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellows, often referred to as the EI Fellows, will join multidisciplinary teams of outstanding, committed scientists from across the Earth Institute and Columbia University.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the program, candidates must have received their doctoral degrees (Ph.D., M.D. or J.D.) within five years prior to the start of the appointment. All doctoral requirements must be fulfilled and the degree awarded before the start of the fellowship. The program is open to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. Columbia University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

Duration of award: EI Fellows are appointed for twenty-four months and appointments typically begin September 1. However, depending on individual circumstances, as well as the needs of a fellow’s host research unit, appointments may begin as early as July 1

Selection Criteria: Applications are reviewed by the Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellows Selection Committee, which is composed of senior Earth Institute faculty from across the Institute. Care is taken to ensure that all of the Earth Institute’s core disciplines are represented in the Committee. An initial, rigorous review of the applications examines several factors, including the following: educational and professional merit; relevance and strength of the research proposal; quality of the recommendations; relevance of the proposed research to the core interest of the Earth Institute to seek solutions to obstacles to sustainable development; and current needs and priorities of the Earth Institute. Applications that merit further consideration are moved forward to the directors of one or more relevant Earth Institute research units. Based on feedback received from the research units, the Selection Committee reevaluates the applications in great detail before reaching a final decision.

How to Apply: To apply, candidates must complete the online application and submit a proposal for research that would contribute to the goal of global sustainable development. Proposals may suggest participating in, contributing to, or extending existing multidisciplinary Earth Institute projects. Candidates are also encouraged to develop new, innovative projects that connect Earth Institute expertise. In addition to submitting the application and proposal, candidates are encouraged to identify and contact their desired multidisciplinary mentoring team, i.e. two or more senior faculty members or research scientists/scholars at Columbia University with whom they would like to work during their appointment.