NSF-Simons Foundation SkAI Institute Postdoctoral Associate

About this position

• The NSF-Simons National AI Institute for the Sky (SkAI Institute) invites
• applications for SkAI Postdoctoral Associates. The SkAI Institute is
• bringing together astrophysics and AI researchers to advance both
• fields through cross-disciplinary collaboration and is serving as a
• nexus for the further development of a nationwide Astro-AI community.
• SkAI Postdoctoral Associates have the opportunity to work with SkAI
• faculty on specific research projects aligned with the Institute’s
• Astro-AI research mission. Associates will be employed by any of the
• three SkAI lead institutions (Northwestern University, The University
• of Chicago, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign [UIUC])
• and may collaborate closely with SkAI personnel at any of the SkAI
• partner institutions depending on their expertise and active research
• projects. They also spend time at the SkAI Hub, which is located in
• the historic John Hancock Center in downtown Chicago, interacting with
• the broader SkAI community across SkAI’s institutional partners.
• Postdoctoral Associates will also benefit from a diverse,
• cross-disciplinary, and dynamic intellectual environment (including
• workshops, lecture series, conferences, retreats, and more), a
• structured mentorship program, training opportunities, access to
• computing resources at UIUC’s NCSA and Argonne National Laboratory
• suited for AI research and to collaborations with software engineers,
• and will have opportunities to collaborate with peers and mentor
• students from SkAI academic partners (including SkAI’s Satellite
• Network). Compensation and Benefits SkAI Postdoctoral Associate
• appointments will be for a two-year term, with the possibility to
• extend for a third year, starting in September 2027. The annual salary
• will depend on the experience of the candidate. SkAI Postdoctoral
• Associates will be employees of one of the SkAI lead institutions,
• with access to a highly competitive benefits package. Benefits for
• each institution may be found below: Northwestern University:
• https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html University of
• Chicago: https://clients.garnett-powers.com/pd/uchicago/ University of
• Illinois Urbana-Champaign: https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/benefits
• Salary Range: Salary Range: $70,000-$78,000 Application Instructions
• Candidates with PhDs in Astronomy, Physics, Computer Science,
• Electrical Engineering, Statistics, or related fields are invited to
• apply. Note: Applicants must complete their Ph.D. requirements prior
• to appointment. Applications should include a cover letter (stating
• your interest in areas of SkAI research and identifying potential
• faculty mentors from the SkAI website people page), a CV (including a
• list of publications with the most important 1 to 3 publications
• indicated with an asterisk), a 3-page research statement highlighting
• research accomplishments and goals. Note that SkAI’s mission is to
• advance both astronomy and AI foundations. Applicants should also
• arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be uploaded to
• AJO. All questions should be sent by email to
• skai-institute@u.northwestern.edu. Applications received by November
• 30, 2026, will receive full consideration. Later applications may be
• considered until all positions are filled. Northwestern University,
• University of Chicago, and UIUC are Equal Opportunity, Affirmative
• Action Employers of all protected classes, including veterans and
• individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities,
• individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
• Click for information on EEO is the Law.

How to apply

1. Read the full advert on the source site — it carries the authoritative terms.
2. Email the contact below with your CV and a short, specific message. See Emailing Professors.
3. Prepare your SOP, CV, transcripts and referees before the deadline.
4. Apply through the university's own portal. Never pay a fee to a third party.