Overview

Schmidt Science Fellows are placed in a full-time, 12-24 month postdoctoral Fellowship in a laboratory anywhere in the world where they conduct research in a scientific field different from their PhD area.

Fellows undertake a postdoctoral Placement in a world-class environment that best meets each individual’s needs to develop their interdisciplinary science skills. Placements can be completed anywhere in the world and in a broad range of research environments. We strongly encourage all our Fellows to take advantage of the unique academic freedom and support from the Program to explore a range of options and institutions. We require that all Fellows maintain an affiliation to an academic institution during the Placement to support their professional development.

This Placement commences after a Fellow successfully completes his or her PhD in the natural sciences, computing, engineering, or mathematics. Each Fellow receives a stipend of $110,000 a year to support their personal and living costs for the duration of the Fellowship Placement.

We ask every applicant to the program to provide initial ideas on three potential Placement locations. These are not final or binding. This process encourages every potential Schmidt Science Fellow to fully consider their options and the opportunity being made available to them. Final decisions on Placements are discussed with Fellows soon after selection and Fellows are supported by the Academic Council in making the final decision. Decisions are subject to approval by the Program to ensure the most appropriate fit for each Fellow’s scientific plans and career development.

Fellows have the flexibility to extend or shorten their Placement within the 12–24-month range in discussion with the Program. Fellows wishing to continue their Fellowship Research Placement beyond 12-months participate in a review process at 10-months to discuss progress, objectives, and plans for the remainder of the Placement.