Description

2026 ITAMP Postdoctoral Fellowship

A Postdoctoral Fellowship appointment at ITAMP is made each year to support a promising scientist who has recently received a Ph.D. degree to carry out research in all areas of theoretical atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) Physics. The Fellowship is for two years with the renewal for a third year depending on performance and funding. The successful applicant must demonstrate independence to pursue research in topical areas of interest in AMO physics, including ultracold atomic and molecular few- and many-body physics, quantum gases, quantum and non-linear optics, atoms and molecules in strong fields, atomic and molecular astrophysics, quantum information and quantum simulations, molecular astrophysics and laboratory cosmology. Applicants should state clearly why they believe that their professional goals would be furthered through the Fellowship. Applicants are expected to demonstrate capability for original research and for first-author refereed publications in major physics journals. The applicants should have received a Ph.D. degree no more than one year before the nominal start date of April 1, 2027. The deadline for submitting all application materials, including letters of reference, is Friday, October 30, 2026.

The ITAMP Fellowship offers the following benefits:

●   Stipend of $80,000 with an annual cost-of-living adjustment

●   Travel budget of $8,000 for each year of fellowship and a new laptop in the first year

●   Health and dental benefits for the Fellow and eligible dependents

●   One-time relocation allowance

●   Opportunities for educational and scientific advancement and outreach and collaborations within the Center for Astrophysics (CfA, the Harvard Quantum Initiative (HQI), and the Center for Ultracold Atoms (CUA).

●   Rigorous mentoring plan and oversight of research

Information about ITAMP and a list of previous fellows can be found at itamp.harvard.edu.

Applications are submitted through the AJO at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo. The deadline for submissions, including letter of references is Friday, October 30, 2026. The applications must include an up to date CV, a list of publications, a statement of current and previous research and a research proposal not to exceed five pages. Three letters of recommendation are required. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed sometime in November with a final decision made in December.

Questions about the ITAMP fellowship should be directed to the ITAMP coordinator, Jaclyn Girouard (formerly Donahue) at jaclyn.donahue@cfa.harvard.edu.

About the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA)

The CfA is known for its leadership in theoretical, observational and laboratory astrophysics, and for its observational programs across the electromagnetic spectrum. The CfA also includes highly successful instrument development teams and facility operations expertise.  Fellows are encouraged to use the combined resources and facilities of the CfA’s two collaborating observatories – the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Harvard College Observatory.

Through the CfA’s operational agreements with its partners, Fellows can propose for CfA-allocated observing time on the MMT in Arizona, the Magellan Telescopes in Chile, and the Submillimeter Array in Hawai’i. Fellows participate in ground- and space-based observing programs including but not limited to the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the Event Horizon Telescope, the TEMPO satellite instrument for pollution monitoring, the Parker Solar Probe, the James Webb Space Telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, Kepler K2, the Solar Dynamics Observatory, and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array.  The CfA is a founding member of the Giant Magellan Telescope project and operates a world-class engineering program that develops leading ground and space telescope instrumentation.   The CfA has emerging programs in artificial intelligence and data science.  The CfA also offers a number of specialized laboratories and numerous research initiatives open to Fellows that focus on a particular research area (for example in black holes, theoretical astrophysics, and the origins of life), where interdisciplinary, cross-institutional collaborative research is the central organizing principle. 

Currently led by Director Lisa Kewley, the CfA provides a dynamic range of weekly luncheons, colloquia, journal clubs, daily coffees, and divisional events.  The CfA also supports many other formal and informal opportunities for the exchange of ideas and professional development in a diverse scientific community.  Fellows have access to institution-wide funding for organizing workshops, conferences, and visitor programs.

The CfA is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a vibrant community in the Boston metropolitan area, known for excellent universities, colleges, and public schools, world renowned medical facilities and teaching hospitals,  a dynamic technology hub, a lively art scene, passionate sports fans, and diverse cultures.  Cambridge is also a two to three hour drive to downhill and cross-country skiing, cycling, and hiking in the White, Green and Berkshire mountains, and many Atlantic Ocean beaches and craggy coastlines are nearby.

The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian Fellowships do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, gender stereotyping, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, parental status, or marital status of any applicant.