Planetary Research Jobs

The Earth and Planets Laboratory (EPL), a division of the Carnegie Institution for Science, invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships at its campus in Washington, DC. Multiple independent research fellowships are available in our interdisciplinary basic research laboratory covering a wide range of fields.

EPL scientists engage in observational, experimental and theoretical research on topics including astrobiology, astronomy, cosmochemistry, experimental petrology, geobiology, geochemistry, geodynamics, geophysics, informatics, mineral physics, planetary science, physics and chemistry of materials (including materials at extreme conditions, superconductors and ferroelectrics at the atomic scale), seismology, and volcanology. Applicants’ primary field of research should overlap with one or more of these areas. Fellows should have an original research plan, but should also share research interests with our scientists who can serve as mentors. Interdisciplinary research and collaboration with multiple research areas on campus is encouraged.

New fellows will join a supportive community of about 25 postdoctoral scientists and 28 staff and research scientists engaged in understanding the origin and evolution of Earth and planets and materials under extreme conditions. More information about our research and facilities can be viewed at https://carnegiescience.edu/epl and about our postdoctoral fellowships and experience at https://carnegiescience.edu/about/working/postdocs/epl.

Our postdoctoral fellows have access to: world-class laboratory facilities in analytical geochemistry and cosmochemistry, high-pressure research, materials structure and properties characterization, and astrobiology; computational facilities to support theoretical and data-analytic investigations; and Carnegie’s Las Campanas Observatory. Funding is available for travel to scientific conferences, user facilities, and observation sites, as well as publications. At EPL, we foster an exceptionally collegial research environment and emphasize mentoring, including professional development opportunities specifically for postdocs.

Qualifications

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field by the start of the fellowship. EPL Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded once a year, with allowed start dates between July 1 and December 31, 2027. The principal selection criteria will be research accomplishment, promise of future achievement, originality and achievability of the research proposal, independence, and relevance to ongoing scientific pursuits at EPL. Advice for crafting a compelling application and sample applications are available on our postdoctoral website.

Application Instructions

Please follow the directions carefully!

Only complete applications submitted here will be considered and must include: 1) a cover letter (1 page max), 2) curriculum vitae, 3) list of publications; 4) research plan / proposal (4 pages max, inclusive of figures and references), 5) a brief description of previous research (3 pages max, all inclusive); and 6) three reference letters from scientists familiar with your work.

Applicants may use the cover letter to describe why EPL is a great fit for their research including how they will contribute to a positive research atmosphere, but should not use it to repeat what is in the other documents.

Submission triggers Interfolio to send instructions to your references so that they can submit their letters. You can edit your application up until the deadline, so please submit well in advance to give your references time to respond.

The deadline for all application materials including reference letters, is November 1, 2026. Address any questions to eplfellowship@carnegiescience.edu.

Excellence in research, the essential goal of Carnegie Science, rests on the highest ethical standards of our scientific community. Our code of conduct requires our scrupulous honesty, critical judgement, full responsibility for the integrity of our work, and that we are truthful, accurate and do not mislead. Proposals must adhere to these principles. Cautious use of generative AI as a research or writing aid is allowed, as long as you take responsibility for all the content you submit. As part of submitting your application, you must attest to your full responsibility for the content of your proposal and guarantee that your application honestly represents your work, clearly communicates which ideas are your own, and gives appropriate credit to ideas, literature, and tools created by others, including generative AI where its use has materially contributed to the proposal. EPL does not use AI in the evaluation of applications, and your application materials will only be shared with our scientific reviewers and HR staff involved in the selection process.