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Cornell University

Kavli Institute at Cornell

KIC Experimental Postdoctoral Fellowships

Experimental Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunities 

KIC postdoctoral fellows are high-profile, 2- to 3-year postdoctoral positions with significant independence and resources. The KIC Fellows program is designed to attract the best and brightest young researchers in nanoscale science to Cornell. They will have access to the unparalleled resources and faculty available at Cornell in nanoscale science and technology. Previous KIC Fellows have gone on to professorships at major universities around the world. Fellows work in partnership with Cornell faculty sponsors on projects consistent with the KIC mission. 

While KIC’s primary fellowships are for experimentalists, we encourage theorists to apply for the Bethe/KIC and Wilkins/KIC Theory Postdoctoral Fellowships.

The 2025 application cycle is open through October 15, 2025! To apply, please submit your application using the KIC Experimental Postdoctoral Application form. You will be asked to upload your application materials in a single .pdf file. Please request your Cornell faculty sponsors to send their support letter(s) to kicnano@cornell.edu with the subject line: CU-SPONSOR for YOUR NAME, KIC Experimental Postdoc Applicant.  Additionally, please request your two additional recommendation letters be sent to kicnano@cornell.edu with the subject line: LOR for YOUR NAME, KIC Experimental Postdoc Applicant. 

Funding:

The KIC fellowship provides 50% funding for the Fellow’s salary, plus associated fringe benefits, in addition to an annual research expense account. The Cornell faculty sponsor is required to provide the remaining 50% salary + fringe.

Criteria for Selection:

KIC Fellows are expected to begin their Fellowship shortly after being awarded their Ph.D. Applications will be judged on the qualifications of the candidate, the quality and originality of the proposed research, and its suitability to the KIC mission. Three to four fellowships will be awarded each year. All Fellows agree to put the KIC byline on all publications and presentations during their appointment.

A KIC Fellowship application must have at least two Cornell faculty sponsors, as well as the pre-approval of a KIC executive committee member. The executive committee member need not be a sponsor, but they will play a role in overseeing the Fellow’s progress and helping to integrate fellows into the activities of KIC.

Application Materials Required:

A complete application packet in .pdf format containing:

  • Candidate CV, including list of publications.
  • One-page description of the proposed research, including:
    • Descriptive title.
    • Description of a major component developing or utilizing next-generation tools for creation, characterization, or control of nanoscale materials and system.
    • List of faculty sponsors at Cornell, including KIC Executive Committee member.
  • Letter(s) of support from Cornell sponsors; one letter signed by multiple sponsors is acceptable. Sent in separately by the sponsors.
  • Two additional letters of recommendation (e.g., from thesis advisor, collaborators). Sent in separately by the recommenders. 

Applications will not be considered complete until all letters of support/recommendation are received, which should be no later than the application deadline of October 15, 2025.