CfA Postdoctoral Fellowship | SAO

About this program

Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and Harvard College Observatory) offers the CfA Postdoctoral Fellowship to support independent early-career researchers in astronomy, astrophysics, and related space, planetary and earth sciences, providing a three‑year appointment (third year contingent on satisfactory progress) with access to CfA facilities, instrumentation, and allocated observing time on MMT, Magellan and SMA. Fellows receive an annual stipend of $81,500 (with cost‑of‑living adjustments), an $18,000 yearly research budget, funded health and dental benefits for the Fellow and dependents, and a one‑time relocation allowance. Applicants must be English‑speaking and within two years or less of equivalent full‑time post‑PhD research experience at the September 1 start date (documented career breaks such as family leave or illness do not count toward the limit); applications are submitted via the Smithsonian SOLAA portal and require a CV with ORCID plus a combined Research Overview/Proposal (two sections, maximum five pages), with references requested only for a subset of candidates.