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Cornell University

Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics

Bethe/KIC and Wilkins/KIC Theory Postdoctoral Fellowships

Theory Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Bethe/KIC and the Wilkins/KIC Theory Fellowships are high-profile 2-year postdoctoral positions with significant independence and resources. This prize fellowship is designed to attract the best and brightest young theoretical physicists to work with theorists and experimentalists in Cornell's Physics department, and in the larger Cornell community. Our theorist group has broad interests in hard and soft condensed matter physics, including (but not limited to): biophysics, cold atom physics, electronic structure theory, hydrodynamics, machine learning, materials science, statistical physics, strongly correlated electrons, quantum information.

While this fellowship targets theorists, experimentalists are encouraged to consider the KIC Postdoctoral Fellowships for nanoscience.

Fellows work in partnership with Cornell faculty sponsors on projects consistent with the KIC mission. KIC Fellows also receive lifetime membership in the Society of Cornell Fellows, along with the participants in other named prestigious and competitively awarded Cornell postdoctoral fellowships.

Please note that for theorists who wish to be considered for sponsorship as a Klarman Fellowship applicant, you must first apply for the Bethe/Wilkins/KIC Fellowship. In the first stage, applications will be considered by the theory group. Leading candidates will then be nominated for consideration by a college-wide selection committee. The Klarman Fellowship is a distinguished postdoctoral program in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell. (Please note: the Klarman Fellowship is administrated separately, and a further application will be required.)

In addition to funding from the Kavli Institute at Cornell, the Bethe/KIC Fellowship is supported in part by the Hans Bethe Postdoctoral Fellowship, while the Wilkins/KIC Fellowship is supported by the John Wilkins Postdoctoral Fellowship.

The 2023 application cycle will remain open until the positions are filled. You may apply at Academic Jobs Online, position #25457. 

Funding:

The Bethe/KIC Theory Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Wilkins/KIC Theory Postdoctoral Fellowship (awards alternate yearly) provide 75% 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 25% salary + fringe.

Criteria for Selection:

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. All Fellows agree to put the KIC byline on all publications and presentations during their appointment.

How to Apply:

Applications are made through Academic Jobs Online, position #25457 for the 2023 application cycle. Application materials required are:

  • Research statement (1-3 pages)
  • Candidate CV, including list of publications.
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the candidate's PhD advisor
    Bethe/Wilkins/KIC Theory 2023