SETI Institute Invites Applications for the 2025 William J. Welch Postdoctoral Fellowship

November 13, 2024, Mountain View, CA -- The SETI Institute is pleased to open the call for applications for the 2025 William J. Welch Postdoctoral Fellowship (WJWPF), focusing on "Engineering the Future of Cosmic Exploration." The William J. Welch Postdoctoral Fellowship aims to support exceptional early-career scientists in developing and employing novel instrumentation to answer fundamental questions in astronomy and astrophysics, focusing on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence or technosignatures. The proposed research program should broadly contribute to the mission of the SETI Institute, which is to lead humanity’s quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe and share that knowledge with the world. The application deadline is December 20, 2024.

“We are thrilled to continue to honor Jack Welch’s enduring contributions to technosignature science and the Allen Telescope Array through enabling promising early career scientists to undertake research at the forefront of radio astrophysics and instrumentation,” said Dr. Andrew Siemion, Bernard M. Oliver Chair for SETI at the SETI Institute.

Fellowship research may cover a wide range of fields, including:

• Advanced radio astronomy techniques
• The interstellar medium
• The development of cutting-edge instrumentation and technology in radio astronomy
• Time-domain/radio transient science
• Technosignatures

The fellowship offers mentorship in a collaborative environment with leading researchers, access to the SETI Institute's advanced facilities, and the opportunity to engage with top Silicon Valley technologists. Fellows will receive a stipend of $85,000 and a $10,000/year allowance for research-related expenses and conference attendance.

For more information on the WJWPF and application details, please click here.

About the SETI Institute
Founded in 1984, the SETI Institute is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary research and education organization whose mission is to lead humanity's quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe and share that knowledge with the world. Our research encompasses the physical and biological sciences and leverages data analytics, machine learning, and advanced signal detection technologies. The SETI Institute is a distinguished research partner for industry, academia, and government agencies, including NASA and the National Science Foundation.

Contact information
Rebecca McDonald
Director of Communications
SETI Institute

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