IAIFI Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027–2030 in the USA (Paid)
The NSF Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions (IAIFI) invites applications for its 2027–2030 Postdoctoral Fellowship. The three-year programme supports early-career researchers working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and physics. Selected fellows receive a salary, research mentorship, and workspace at MIT in the United States. The application deadline is 7 October 2026.
Quick Overview
Programme: IAIFI Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027–2030
Opportunity Type: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Host Institution: NSF Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions (IAIFI)
Country: United States
Location: Boston area, Massachusetts
Duration: Three years
Expected Start Date: 1 September 2027
Funding: Salaried postdoctoral position
Eligibility: PhD holders and applicants expecting to receive their PhD by 1 September 2027
Application Deadline: 7 October 2026
About the IAIFI Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027–2030
The IAIFI Postdoctoral Fellowship brings together early-career researchers interested in advancing artificial intelligence and fundamental physics.
The institute aims to develop interdisciplinary collaborations across theoretical physics, experimental physics, astrophysics, and foundational AI.
Selected fellows will explore research questions that connect these fields. They will also work with researchers from different scientific backgrounds to develop new approaches to problems in physics and artificial intelligence.
The IAIFI is a joint NSF-funded venture involving five universities:
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Harvard University
• Northeastern University
• Tufts University
• Boston University
The programme aims to appoint new postdoctoral fellows each academic year for three-year fellowship terms, subject to programme needs and available funding.
Research Areas and Fellowship Structure
The IAIFI Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027–2030 focuses on interdisciplinary research involving physics and artificial intelligence.
The programme’s primary research domains include:
• Theoretical Physics
• Experimental Physics
• Astrophysics
• Foundational Artificial Intelligence
Fellows have substantial freedom to choose their research focus.
Each fellow works with two IAIFI mentors: one from physics and one from artificial intelligence. These mentors help guide research topics and evaluate research progress.
Applicants must identify potential IAIFI faculty mentors who match their research goals as part of the application process.
Interdisciplinary Research
The programme welcomes researchers whose previous work focuses primarily on physics or artificial intelligence.
However, proposed research should aim to build connections between the two fields.
Applicants do not need to contact potential mentors before submitting their applications. Instead, they must identify their preferred mentors through the application system.
Benefits and Financial Support
The IAIFI Postdoctoral Fellowship provides salaried research positions and access to institutional resources.
Confirmed benefits include:
✓ Postdoctoral salary
✓ Three-year fellowship term, subject to programme needs and funding availability
✓ Research mentorship from one physics mentor and one AI mentor
✓ Substantial freedom to select a research focus
✓ Workspace at MIT
✓ Opportunities to collaborate with researchers across the IAIFI network
✓ Potential affiliation and workspace at other participating Boston-area IAIFI universities
Fellowship Salary
The IAIFI states that its fellowship salary is subject to change each year.
The current salary is approximately 15% higher than MIT’s minimum postdoctoral salary.
The official announcement does not establish a fixed salary amount for the full 2027–2030 fellowship term.
Research Location and Institutional Support
All fellows receive workspace at MIT.
They may also be affiliated with and receive workspace at Harvard University, Northeastern University, Tufts University, or Boston University.
MIT will serve as the official employer of IAIFI Fellows.
Fellows are expected to participate in the institute’s activities and work primarily in the Boston area.
Eligibility Criteria
The IAIFI Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027–2030 is intended for early-career researchers with relevant doctoral qualifications.
Applicants must meet the following academic requirements:
• Hold a PhD or expect to receive a PhD by 1 September 2027.
• Have a doctoral qualification in Physics, Astrophysics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Propose research that supports interdisciplinary collaboration between physics and artificial intelligence.
Applicants with expertise primarily in physics or AI may also apply. However, their proposed research should aim to connect the two disciplines.
The IAIFI encourages applications from interested researchers regardless of background.
International Applicants and Visa Requirements
The programme considers international applicants.
If an international applicant receives a fellowship offer, IAIFI will work with the MIT International Scholars Office to determine the appropriate visa for the applicant’s circumstances.
English language proficiency is required for international fellows who need a J-1 visa to work at MIT.
Residence Requirements
Selected fellows are expected to participate in the institute’s research activities primarily in the Boston area.
The programme may consider flexible working arrangements in certain personal circumstances.
However, fellows must reside in Massachusetts because MIT will serve as their official employer.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit a complete application containing all required materials.
The IAIFI Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027–2030 requires the following documents:
1. Cover Letter
Applicants must submit a cover letter of no more than one page.
The cover letter can summarise the applicant’s qualifications and provide additional relevant information that may not fit elsewhere in the application.
2. Curriculum Vitae
Applicants must provide a current CV.
The IAIFI recommends a length of one to two pages, although longer CVs are accepted.
3. Statement of Research Interests
Applicants must submit a research statement of no more than two pages.
The statement should describe their research interests and proposed direction.
References are optional and do not count towards the two-page limit. Figures are also optional but count towards the page limit.
4. List of Publications
Applicants must submit a list of their publications.
5. Reference Letters
Exactly three reference letters are required.
The IAIFI does not accept four reference letters.
Applicants should arrange for their referees to submit the required letters within the stated application period.
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Application Process
Interested researchers must submit their applications through the official IAIFI Fellowship application route.
The application process involves the following steps:
• Review the official fellowship requirements and confirm eligibility.
• Prepare the cover letter, CV, research statement, and publication list.
• Identify two preferred IAIFI mentors, including one from physics and one from artificial intelligence.
• Arrange for exactly three reference letters.
• Complete the official application and submit all required materials.
• Ensure that the application materials and reference letters are received by 7 October 2026.
Applicants may also choose to have their application materials shared with IAIFI faculty for consideration for related postdoctoral opportunities.
Choosing Potential Research Mentors
Applicants must identify their preferred mentors during the application process.
The application provides a list of IAIFI Senior Investigators and Affiliates from which applicants must select their two preferred mentors.
Candidates do not need to contact potential mentors before applying.
Alternative mentoring arrangements may be discussed if an applicant progresses through the selection process.
Selection Process
The IAIFI Fellowship uses an annual application and selection process.
Applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted for an interview between mid-November and mid-December.
Shortlisted candidates will participate in one virtual interview.
The institute expects to make fellowship offers between late December and early January.
Candidates who receive an offer must make their acceptance decision by 14 February 2027.
The IAIFI expects to appoint between one and four fellows each year. The final number depends on available funding and the suitability of applicants.
Important Dates
The IAIFI has published the following timeline for the 2027–2030 fellowship:
Application Deadline: 7 October 2026
Shortlist Notifications: Mid-November to mid-December 2026
Interviews: One virtual interview for shortlisted candidates
Expected Fellowship Offers: Late December 2026 to early January 2027
Offer Acceptance Deadline: 14 February 2027
Expected Fellowship Start Date: 1 September 2027
Alternative fellowship start dates may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the IAIFI Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027–2030 is:
7 October 2026
All application materials, including the three reference letters, are expected to be received by this deadline.
The IAIFI may continue accepting reference letters for up to one week after the deadline. However, it cannot guarantee that letters received after this additional period will be considered by the selection committee.
Applicants should therefore arrange for all required documents and reference letters to arrive by the official deadline.
Official Link
Review the official programme details and follow the application instructions provided on the official page.
View the Official IAIFI Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027–2030 Page
