Bethe/Wilkins/KIC Postdoctoral Fellowship in Theoretical Condensed-Matter Physics

Cornell University, United States

Updated: about 22 hours ago
Location: New York City, NEW YORK

Description
Cornell University's Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics is soliciting applications for the Bethe/Wilkins/KIC Postdoctoral Fellowship in Theoretical Condensed-Matter Physics. This prize fellowship is designed to attract the best and brightest theoretical physicists (no further than three years' past PhD completion) to work with theorists and experimentalists in the Department of Physics and the larger Cornell community.
Our group has broad interests in hard and soft condensed-matter physics, including (but not limited to): biophysics, cold atom physics, electronic structure theory, hydrodynamics, machine learning, materials science, statistical physics, strongly correlated electrons, and quantum information.
Theorists who wish to be considered for sponsorship as a Klarman Fellowship applicant must first apply for the Bethe/Wilkins/KIC Fellowship. In the first stage, applications will be considered by the theory group. Leading candidates will then be nominated for consideration by a college-wide selection committee. The Klarman Fellowship is a distinguished postdoctoral program in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell. (Please note: the Klarman Fellowship is administrated separately, and a further application will be required.)
Kavli Fellowships are made as 12-month appointments with an anticipated total duration of two years. Fellowships pay $80,000 annually and carry a discretionary research expense account. All Fellows agree to put the KIC byline on all publications and presentations during their appointment. 
Criteria for Selection  
Applications will be judged on candidate qualifications, the quality and originality of the proposed research, and its suitability to the KIC mission . Applicants should hold a PhD in one of the listed fields of theoretical physics by the time of appointment and be no further than three years past their PhD completion date. 
A complete application includes the following materials: 
  • Curriculum Vitae 
  • Publication List 
  • Research Statement (2 pages) 
  • Three letters of reference, one of which should be from the candidate's PhD advisor 
The submission deadline is October 1, 2026, which will allow us to nominate the strongest candidates to Klarman. However, we will continue to search for the Bethe-KIC and Wilkins-KIC postdoctoral fellows until the positions are filled. Moreover, applicants will be automatically considered for any project-funded postdoctoral positions. 
This position is supported in part by the Hans Bethe Postdoctoral Fellowship, the John Wilkins Postdoctoral Fellowship, and by the Kavli Institute at Cornell.
Employment Assistance:

For specific questions about the position or application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or for general questions email [email protected] .

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected] .

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. 

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here . This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

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Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

  • Prior relevant work or industry experience.
  • Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
  • Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)
  • Unique applicable skills.


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