Schmidt Observatory System Postdoctoral Fellows

Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space—as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program.

The Astrophysics Center at Schmidt Sciences invites applications for the Schmidt Observatory System Postdoctoral Fellows program—a highly selective cohort of early‑career scientists embedded within the development of the Schmidt Observatory System. The system is a coordinated network of ground and space‑based observatories operating with integrated resources across a broad range of astrophysical investigations, with multiple facilities expected to be online in the next 2‑3 years.

This program is designed for scientists who want to work at the intersection of observatory design, system performance, and mission‑shaping science. Fellows will contribute directly to the technical and scientific foundations of multiple observatories, influencing how these facilities are built, calibrated, and used by the scientific community.

Postdoctoral Fellows will be part of the inaugural cohort of approximately five post‑doctoral researchers embedded within the Schmidt Observatory System. This is a two‑year, fixed‑term fellowship with a structured third‑year renewal based on performance. Fellows will develop focused work plans in close collaboration with the team. These plans will be milestone‑driven and delivery‑focused, giving Fellows responsibility for defined problem areas while ensuring close alignment with evolving Observatory System needs.

The role combines hands‑on technical contribution, scientific analysis, and close collaboration with internal technical leadership and external partners. Fellows will have direct involvement in decisions that shape how the Observatory System matures from development toward science operations.

This fellowship is structured around direct contributions to the development and performance of the Schmidt Observatory System, alongside the production of publications and other research artefacts. Fellows are expected to produce scientific and technical publications arising directly from their work. Rather than separating research from programmatic work, this role is designed such that core Observatory System contributions are themselves scientifically substantive and publishable.

Work will focus on defined priorities in system development and performance maturation, while allowing Fellows to integrate their research expertise to develop approaches, analyses, and ideas that advance both program goals and their scientific trajectory. Work plans will evolve as the observatories progress. Fellows will work under the guidance of senior members of the Astrophysics Center, within a structured environment that supports both project execution and professional development, with exposure to career paths across academia, observatories, industry, and philanthropy.

The fellowship is based at Schmidt Sciences. Support will be available for travel, conference attendance, publications, computing, and access to advanced AI and data resources. Fellows will be expected to take ownership of well‑defined problem areas and drive them from concept through execution to publication.

• Contribute to and, where appropriate, lead system‑level analyses that improve observatory performance, calibration, and readiness
• Develop simulations, models, and tools that inform instrument design, observational strategy, and predicted scientific yield for key science cases
• Translate technical system behavior into quantified scientific impact
• Contribute to design reviews and cross‑observatory integration efforts
• Produce technical reports, performance forecasts, and peer‑reviewed publications
• Build software tools or analysis frameworks that support observatory capabilities and scientific use
• Collabo…