VIEST Postdoctoral Fellowship (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology (VIEST) Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. This prestigious fellowship supports outstanding early-career researchers in energy science, emphasizing collaborative work to address global energy challenges and mitigate climate change.

The fellowship is fully funded, offering a generous stipend, research fund, travel allowance, and relocation reimbursement. It is open to applicants worldwide who have completed their PhD within the last three years and are not current Penn postdocs. The application deadline is October 13, 2025, and there is no application fee. Successful candidates will begin their fellowship on September 1, 2026, and work with at least two VIEST faculty sponsors. You can check out more fellowships here

Key Details

• Field: Energy Science
• Institution: University of Pennsylvania
• Funding: Fully funded
  • Stipend: $70,000/year
  • Research Fund: $10,000/year
  • Travel Allowance: Up to $2,000/year
  • Relocation Reimbursement: Up to $2,000 (one-time)
• Duration: Up to 2 years
• Application Deadline: October 13, 2025, by 5:00 PM ET
• Application Fee: None
• Start Date: September 1, 2026

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the VIEST Postdoctoral Fellowship, you must meet the following requirements:

• Doctoral Degree: Must have completed all PhD requirements by the fellowship start date (September 1, 2026). The PhD must have been awarded no more than 3 years before October 13, 2025.
• Sponsorship: Must be co-sponsored by at least two VIEST faculty members. Contact faculty early to discuss your proposal and collaboration.
• Not a Current Penn Postdoc: Applicants must not be current postdoctoral researchers at the University of Pennsylvania at the time of the application deadline.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills, with a proven ability to thrive in collaborative research settings.
• Commitment to Growth: Participate in training to enhance science communication and leadership skills.

Best opportunity: CoCirculation3 Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Turkey

Application Process

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET on October 13, 2025. All materials should be sent to Erika Martinez ([email protected]). Below are the required components:

1. Joint Letter of Nomination

• A letter from your two proposed VIEST faculty sponsors, outlining their support for your candidacy.
• Must be on official letterhead and emailed directly to Erika Martinez.

2. Two Letters of Recommendation

• Letter 1: From your PhD thesis advisor, highlighting your ability to contribute to and learn from a collaborative, multi-disciplinary research environment.
• Letter 2: From someone familiar with your PhD research.
• Both letters must be on letterhead and emailed directly to Erika Martinez by the deadline.

Postdoc at Harvard: Environmental Fellows Program 2026 at Harvard University

3. Applicant Documents

Combine the following into one PDF file, named “YourNameApplication.pdf”, and email it to Erika Martinez with the subject line: “VIEST Postdoctoral Fellow Application – [Your Name]”.

• Current CV: Include your academic and professional background.
• Research Proposal (3 pages):
  • Detail your planned research, aligned with VIEST’s mission to address large-scale energy challenges and mitigate climate change.
  • Clarify the role of each faculty sponsor in supporting your work.
  • Use standard letter-size pages, 1-inch margins, and at least 11 pt font.
  • References/Works Cited do not count toward the 3-page limit.
• Personal Statement (2 pages):
  • Describe your PhD research project in a way that’s understandable to scholars outside your field.
  • Discuss your career goals.
  • Use standard letter-size pages, 1-inch margins, and at least 11 pt font.

Also check: Canon Foundation Research Fellowship In Europe and Japan

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Academic Excellence: Strong academic and research background.
• Leadership Potential: Ability to lead within the Institute and among future energy scientists.
• Research Alignment: Proposal’s relevance to VIEST’s goals of addressing energy challenges and climate change.