Guidelines and Application

The fellowship provides an opportunity for recent doctoral scientists to develop innovative instrumentation or to conduct novel theoretical and observational research in planetary astronomy. Planetary astronomy brings together research efforts of two fields—planetary science and astronomy—to characterize planetary systems. The fellowship supports postdoctoral fellows to advance our fundamental understanding of exoplanets, planet formation and evolution, protoplanetary disks, or other closely related topics such as brown dwarfs. Planetary scientists who study surfaces, atmospheres, and interiors of the planets, moons and small bodies in the solar system with telescopes, spacecraft, or models, are welcome to apply.

The fellowship recognizes early-career investigators of significant potential and provides them with the opportunity to conduct independent research. Each recipient will receive a three-year grant of up to $415,000 to cover salary ($75,700 in year 1 with 4% increases in years 2 and 3), benefits, highly-flexible discretionary spending (e.g., travel, family care, moving expenses, research equipment, personal computers, etc.), and indirect costs.  Awarded postdoctoral fellows are expected to carry out a strong, coherent research program in planetary astronomy.

Assuming satisfactory progress, fellows will have the option to apply for an additional year of funding that they can use to continue their postdoc for a fourth year. Alternatively, if a fellow receives a faculty or permanent staff position at a college, university, observatory, or other non-profit institution in the United States, they may apply for a grant of the equivalent amount to support their research program in their new position. A maximum of one year of the fellowship may be regranted even if the fellow receives a faculty/permanent staff position after only one or two years as a 51 Pegasi b fellow. Fellows must spend at least one year as a 51 Pegasi b postdoc to qualify for the one-year regrant opportunity.

The Foundation anticipates awarding six to eight fellowships this year, based on the quality of submissions. The Heising-Simons Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Thus, we particularly welcome applications from individuals who belong to groups that have been historically underrepresented in planetary sciences and astronomy such as women, persons with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, and others who may contribute to diversification of the field.

The 2022-2023 application cycle is open from July 8-October 10, 2022.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants may come from any academic institution or research lab, both nationally and internationally.
• Applicants are not required to have US citizenship; however, all visa and work permit paperwork is the responsibility of the fellow and host institution.
• Applicants must have received a doctoral degree in astronomy, physics, earth and planetary sciences, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or a related discipline. Doctoral degrees must be awarded after August 31, 2013 and before December 31, 2023.

51 Pegasi b Fellowship research must be pursued at one of the following participating institutions. If you have any questions about research collaborations, faculty mentors, resources at these host institutions, etc., please contact the people listed below:

• California Institute of Technology: Dimitri Mawet
• Cornell University: Nikole Lewis
• Johns Hopkins University: Sarah Horst
• Harvard University / Harvard Smithsonian: David Charbonneau
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Julien de Wit
• Pennsylvania State University: Eric Ford
• Princeton University: Joshua Winn
• The Ohio State University: Ji Wang
• University of Arizona: Jared Males
• University of California, Berkeley: Courtney Dressing
• University of California, Los Angeles: Erik Petigura
• University of California, Santa Cruz: Jonathan Fortney
• University of Chicago: Fred Ciesla
• University of Hawaii, Michael Liu
• University of Maryland, Eliza Kempton
• University of Michigan:  Lia Corrales
• University of Texas, Austin:  Adam Kraus
• Yale University: Greg Laughlin

 

Review Criteria

In preparing your research proposal and supporting materials, please consider that fellowship applications will be evaluated based on the following six equally-weighted criteria:

• Research significance to the field:  Does the research address an important problem or a critical barrier in planetary astronomy? Will meeting the science objectives have broad, long-lasting, cross-cutting, or catalytic impacts on the field?
• Research innovation:  Is the proposed research original and innovative?  Does the proposed research challenge existing research approaches and ideas? Does the project develop or employ novel concepts, approaches, tools, or technologies?
• Research approach:  Is the overall strategy well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplishing the project goals? Are the resource requirements and proposed timelines reasonable? Are project risks recognized and addressed?
• Applicant qualification: Does the applicant have the necessary education and training to carry out the project? Does the applicant have relevant research experience? Has the applicant demonstrated the ability to lead and complete projects?
• Suitability of host institution(s): Does a proposed host institution have the necessary resources and faculty to support the postdoctoral fellow both scientifically and professionally?
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statement:  Does the applicant have demonstrated personal experiences, professional skills, and/or a willingness to engage in and lead activities that will advance DEI in the field, particularly with respect to groups which have been historically and consistently underrepresented in the field? Does the applicant offer thoughtful and specific/concrete ideas regarding DEI in the field?

Applications

The 2022-2023 application cycle is now open.

Interested candidates are asked to submit an online application, and will be asked to include:

• Abstract of your Ph.D. dissertation
• Curriculum Vitae
• Samples of your journal or conference publications (up to 3 samples)
• Summary of previous and current research (1 page)
• Rationale for host institution (1 page)
• Two letters of recommendation from your Ph.D. advisor, a senior collaborator, or scientific mentor
• Science research proposal describing the work you want to perform as a 51 Pegasi b Fellow (up to three pages)
• Brief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statement detailing personal experiences, professional skills, and/or willingness to engage in activities that will advance DEI in the field