Postdoctoral Training
Continue your scholarly training alongside faculty who are leaders in the field.
Each year EAPS is proud to host an average 60 postdocs from across the globe, with research interests spanning the full range of Earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences.
Our program includes peer-to-peer mentoring, monthly lunch meetings on a variety of topics of particular interest to postdoctoral researchers, and an annual dinner — in addition to access to MIT’s robust career advising and professional development services.
There is no single comprehensive list of available postdoctoral opportunities since postdoctoral positions depend on faculty sponsorship.
Candidates are encouraged to explore prospective faculty hosts in your area of study and contact them directly.
Or, check out the employment section of our website — occasionally you’ll find postdoctoral opportunities listed there.
We also invite applicants to the competitive EAPS Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship and Heising-Simons 51 Pegasi b Fellowship programs. See information below.
Our Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship Program typically appoints two new fellows each year through a competitive process, with applications due in the late fall. Research areas span the full breadth of the department.
MIT is proud to be on the list of 14 potential host institutions for the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship Program in planetary astronomy, sponsored by the Heising-Simons Foundation.
For information on the potential for hosting 51 Pegasi b postdoctoral research in EAPS, please contact Julien de Wit.
Resources for Postdocs
New Postdocs: Start Here!
MIT Postdoctoral Services in the Office of the Vice President for Research is a great resource, especially their checklist on how to get started on campus.
Current postdocs and new arrivals:
You can find the EAPS Postdoc handbook, meet your Faculty Postdoc Coordinator, and get lots of links to MIT’s resources to help you build your career and support work-life balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Virtually all postdocs in EAPS are supported either by individual fellowships or by grant funding sourced through a faculty grant. Institute funding for postdocs is very limited. Generally speaking, the availability of grant funding will determine the availability of postdoctoral positions.
A Postdoctoral Associate is an MIT employee paid by a sponsored research grant administered through MIT.
Postdoctoral Fellows typically receive a stipend from an outside agency, whose funds sometimes are administered through MIT. Postdoctoral Fellows are not employees of the Institute.
Benefits eligibility varies by type of appointment. Please see the benefits section of the MIT Postdoctoral Services website if you have questions regarding eligibility for healthcare, childcare, time off, and visa sponsorship.
For more information, please see also MIT’s Policies on Academic Research Staff Appointments.
Postdoctoral salary levels are set by the Vice President for Research based on years of experience in accordance with the NIH stipend rates.
Benefits eligibility varies by type of appointment. Please see the benefits section of the MIT Postdoctoral Services website if you have questions regarding eligibility for healthcare, childcare, time off, and visa sponsorship.
Postdoctoral Researchers are typically appointed on one-year terms renewable by mutual agreement and funding availability. The maximum length of a postdoctoral appointment at MIT is four years.
MIT Postdoctoral Services
Find detailed information about salary and benefits, tax information, policies, housing, campus life, and career development.
MIT Postdoctoral Association
A postdoc-led organization providing support for over 1500 postdoctoral trainees appointed in 50 departments at MIT.
MIT International Scholars Office
Provides advising on immigration regulations, aids in the maintenance of legal status, and assists international scholars in their transition to life in the United States at MIT.
MIT is an equal opportunity employer.
We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin. See MIT’s full policy on nondiscrimination.
MIT considers equivalent combinations of experience and education for certain jobs. All candidates who believe they possess equivalent experience and education are encouraged to apply.
Employment is contingent upon the complete of a satisfactory background check.
Labor Condition Application Notifications
These US Department of Labor required notices serve to inform interested parties that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology submits applications for H-1B non-immigrants for certain academic and research positions.
