Description
The NSF-Simons National AI Institute for the Sky (SkAI Institute) invites applications for SkAI Postdoctoral Associates. Spurred by the coming generation of large sky surveys, 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) 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).
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 statement of 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 December 12th, 2025 will receive full consideration. Later applications will be considered until all positions are filled.
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 2026. 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: http://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
Requirements
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.
