IAIFI Fellow (The NSF Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions)

IAIFI (Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions); Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Workspace at MIT

Affiliation with Boston-area IAIFI

Collaborative research network

Job summary

IAIFI (Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions) seeks early-career researchers for a three-year IAIFI Fellowship. Fellows will build interdisciplinary collaborations across theoretical and experimental physics, astrophysics, and foundational AI under two IAIFI mentors (Physics and AI).

Applicants should have or expect a PhD by Sept 1, 2027, and materials including a cover letter, CV, and three reference letters.

Qualifications

• PhD expected by Sept 2027 in Physics, Astrophysics, Statistics, CS, or related field.
• Strong interdisciplinary collaboration and communication skills.
• Experience with scientific computing and ML is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Join IAIFI Fellows across domains to spark collaborations.
• Work with two IAIFI mentors from Physics and AI to define research topics.
• Prepare standard application materials and timelines.
• Collaborate with IAIFI faculty and other fellows.

Skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Strong communication

Python programming

Research skills

Education

PhD in Physics, Astrophysics, Statistics, CS, or related field

Tools

Git

LaTeX

Machine learning basics

Job description

The NSF Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions (IAIFI, pronounced /a-fa/) is one of the inaugural NSF AI research institutes. The IAIFI is enabling physics discoveries and advancing foundational AI through the development of novel AI approaches that incorporate first principles, best practices, and domain knowledge from fundamental physics. AI is transforming many aspects of society, including the ways that scientists are pursuing groundbreaking discoveries.

To facilitate these advances, the IAIFI seeks a talented and interdisciplinary group of researchers at an early stage of their careers to join the IAIFI Fellowship program. The role of an IAIFI Fellow is to spark vital interdisciplinary, multi-investigator, multi-subfield collaborations across some of the primary IAIFI domains of theoretical physics, experimental physics, astrophysics, and foundational AI. Such collaborations have immense power to generate new ideas and approaches in both physics and AI, to facilitate abstracting physics challenges beyond their native domains to inform the development of cutting-edge AI tools, and to instill a common language across disciplines.

Our program aims to appoint new IAIFI Postdoctoral Fellows each academic year for three-year fellowship terms, contingent upon programmatic need and the availability of funding. In addition to the IAIFI Fellowships, related postdoctoral opportunities may be available with IAIFI faculty. Applicants may opt in to have their application materials shared with IAIFI faculty for consideration for these positions.

Fellows will be selected through an annual application process. Applicants should have, or be expected to receive by the 1st of September 2027, a PhD in Physics, Astrophysics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field. Complete applications must include:

• Cover letter (no more than 1 page);
• CV (1-2 pages recommended, but longer accepted);
• Statement of research interests (no more than 2 pages);
• List of publications;
• Exactly three reference letters.

The deadline to receive all the materials (including all reference letters) is the 7th of October 2026.

The Fellows will have substantial freedom in choosing their research focus; each fellow will work with two IAIFI mentors – one from Physics and one from AI – to guide their choice of research topic and evaluate their research progress. Part of the application will include identifying IAIFI faculty whom you feel would be a good match for your research goals. The IAIFI is committed to building a vibrant intellectual community, and strongly encourages applications from interested researchers, regardless of background. Any inquiries about the program should be directed to [e-mail]. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found at https://iaifi.org/fellows.html#faq.

The IAIFI is a joint NSF-funded venture between MIT, Harvard, Northeastern, Tufts, and Boston University. Fellows are encouraged to collaborate with other IAIFI members. All Fellows are granted work space at MIT. In addition, Fellows can be affiliated with and have work space at any of the other four Boston-area IAIFI universities.

MIT is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin. View MIT Policy on Non Discrimination and EEOC’s Know Your Rights. Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check, including possible verification of any findings of misconduct (or pending investigations) from prior employers.