Page last updated October 21, 2025
DO YOUR POSTDOC AT THE SETI INSTITUTE!
The SETI Institute is pleased to announce the call for applications to the Frank Drake Postdoctoral Fellowship focusing on “Innovation in the Search for Life in the Universe.”
COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF FIELDS
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Astrobiology
- Climate and Biogeosciences
- Exoplanets
- Planetary Exploration
- SETI Intelligence and Technosignatures
Applications for the 2025 Fellowship program opened on 10/21/24. Applications must be submitted by the deadline on 12/15/24. Candidates selected for interviews will be notified by 03/01/25.
The Frank Drake Postdoctoral Fellowship research program offers an exceptional opportunity for talented early career scientists to contribute significant advances in all the fields of the Drake Equation, including: Astronomy & Astrophysics, Astrobiology, Environmental Science, Geoscience, Life Science, Planetary Science, Planetary and Space Exploration, Cognitive Science focusing on intelligence and consciousness, Biosignature and Technosignature detection, Computing and Data Science, and Epistemology, the latter focusing on the framing of new paradigms and intellectual frameworks in the search for life in the universe.
The successful candidates will advance (1) their field in novel ways using one, or a combination, of the following approaches: Novel instruments and technologies, laboratory research, field expeditions, ground and space-based telescopes; radio telescopes and radio interferometers, advanced data analytics, theory and modeling; and (2) the mission of the SETI Institute, which is to lead humanity’s quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe and share that knowledge with the world.
Deadlines
| October 21, 2024 | Accepting applications. |
|---|---|
| December 15, 2024 | Applications are due. |
| March 1, 2025 | Candidates selected for interviews will be notified. |
| Selection | Recipient will be notified 2 months after interviews. |
INSTITUTION AND LOCATION
The SETI Institute is a world-renowned multidisciplinary institute studying the universe, its habitability, its potential for the life, intelligence, and consciousness to emergence beyond Earth, and what can be learned from these studies about humanity’s place and role on our planet. The SETI Institute is home to Principal Investigators who specialize in theoretical studies and modeling, planetary missions (e.g., MRO, MSL, Mars 2020, New Horizons), terrestrial analogs to planetary environments, and cutting-edge ground and space telescope research (including Hubble, TESS, James Webb). Their expertise covers a wide range of fields:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Astrobiology
- Climate and Biogeosciences
- Exoplanets
- Planetary Exploration
- SETI Intelligence and Technosignatures
The SETI Institute boasts its own world-class radio-telescope array at Hat Creek in Northern California. Access to cutting-edge facilities coupled with the Institute’s prime location in the heart of Silicon Valley offers exceptional opportunities for Fellows to engage with top scientific researchers as well as distinguished experts in the tech industry. This includes the development of AI solutions for research projects.
RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
Fellows will have the opportunity to conduct groundbreaking research in the fields related to the Drake Equation.
DURATION
The Frank Drake Postdoctoral Fellowship is a full-time, two-year program, with an option for an extension based on the Fellow’s research progress and institutional approval.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must hold a PhD in the relevant fields by the start of the research project and provide a proven track record of research and a compelling research proposal.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are required to submit a comprehensive application, including their CV, research proposal, and 3 contacts for letters of recommendation. Details about the application process are outlined below. Applications must be submitted to Fellowships@seti.org.
FUNDING
A $85,000 Stipend and allowances will be provided to cover research-related expenses and conference attendance.
BENEFITS
Along with the stipend, research and travel allowances, Fellow will receive comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits, including flexible spending and HDHP (Health Saving Account). For a full benefits summary, please contact Arminé Saroian, SETI Institute Human Resources Department, at asaroian@seti.org.
TITLE
Fellows will receive the title of SETI Institute Frank Drake Postdoctoral Fellow. This title bearing the name of the prestigious astronomer represents a commitment to excellence and to groundbreaking and innovative approaches to the search for life in the universe.
KEY COMPONENTS
MENTORSHIP
This Fellowship encourages creativity and independence aiming to foster groundbreaking discoveries among the next generation of researchers in collaboration with leaders in their scientific fields.
COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT
Fellows will be granted access to a dynamic community of researchers that will foster collaboration, idea exchange, and project development.
ACCESS TO FACILITIES
Fellows will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including those of the SETI Institute partners.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
In addition to conducting research, Fellows will have the opportunity to meet with some of the top technologists in Silicon Valley to further develop their professional skills.
ABOUT FRANK D. DRAKE
Frank Drake (May 28, 1930 – September 2, 2022) was an American astronomer renowned for his groundbreaking work in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). He created the Drake Equation, which estimates the number of active civilization in the Milky Way by considering factors such as the rate of star formation, the fraction of stars with planets, the number of planets that could support life, and the likelihood for life developing intelligence and technology.
His work laid the foundation for much of the modern research into the possibility of life beyond Earth. Throughout his career, he remained a fervent advocate for the exploration of the universe, leaving an enduring legacy in the field of astronomy and astrobiology broadly. He was the first Director of the Carl Sagan Center for Research at the SETI Institute, and previously served as Chairman of the SETI Institute’s Board of Director. He was passionate about teaching and mentoring.
Application Materials and How to Apply
Applicants should apply to fellowship by assembling the elements below into a single .pdf format document and emailing the document to fellowships@seti.org with the subject “[Full Name] Application for 2025 Frank Drake Postdoctoral Fellowship”
- An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV)
- Names and contact information for 3 references (1 page)
- Previous and Current Research statement (3 pages)
- Research Proposal statement (3 pages)
Applications that do not provide all of the listed information will not be considered. Additional formatting requirements and guidance is given below.
CV
There are no page limit or formatting requirements for the CV portion of the application, except that it should be submitted in PDF format. The CV should include at least past and current educational and professional positions, publications (especially peer-reviewed publications), and conference abstracts with full references and/or links.
References
Applicants should provide the name, relationship to applicant, email address, and (optionally) phone number for three reference writers. Reference writers should be able to speak to e.g., the applicant’s research activities, educational attainment, work ethic and professional background. Recommenders will not be contacted for the initial round of application review, but will be contacted before an offer is extended.
Previous and Current Research Statement
In this statement, the applicant should demonstrate a strong track record of research excellence, detailing their leadership and contributions to the research activities described in the CV and including any ongoing projects. Applicants are encouraged to highlight activities which are relevant to the project described in the Research Proposal Statement where possible.
Research Proposal Statement
In this statement, the applicant should describe the research that they plan to perform. Successful Research Proposal Statements will describe a feasible research plan which makes use of SETI Institute resources, researcher expertise, and facilities to advance knowledge in a relevant discipline. The motivation for pursuing your plan, i.e., the topic’s scientific case, should be explicitly stated. The research theme should also be linked to 1) the call’s focus areas and 2) the general science mission of the SETI Institute. Strong proposals will provide a case for why the applicant is uniquely positioned to carry out the research they propose, and also a case for why the SETI Institute is uniquely suited to their project.
Page Limits
The Previous and Current Research Statement and Research Proposal Statement should be 3 pages maximum (references excluded from page count). Figures and/or tables may be included to demonstrate significant results — note that these will count towards the page limit. The document should not produce text that is denser than 12pt Times New Roman single-spaced, and margins should be at least 1in.
Selection Criteria
Packets from eligible applicants containing all required materials will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of relevant SETI Institute researchers and leadership.
The selection committees will select fellows whose application packets demonstrate:
- Sufficient relevant preparation to lead to success, as determined primarily via the Prior and Current Research Statement and the CV
- Articulation of a scientifically-compelling research project which can be completed within the proposed fellowship duration and that is a good match to the available resources, facilities, and skillset of the applicant, as determined primarily via the Research Proposal statement
- The potential to be a productive part of a thriving, interdisciplinary team and develop scientific leadership skills during their tenure
Questions?
Applicants who have questions regarding the relevance of their research to one of more of the Research Divisions at the SETI Institute can contact the SETI Institute Science Council:
Dr. Nathalie A. Cabrol, CSC Director, Science Council Chair: ncabrol@seti.org
Dr. Simon Steel, CSC Deputy Director, Science Council Co-Chair: ssteel@seti.org
Dr. Janice Bishop, Chair Planetary Exploration: jbishop@seti.org
Dr. Douglas Caldwell, Chair Exoplanets: dcaldwell@seti.org
Dr. Wael Farah, Chair SETI Research: wfarah@seti.org
Dr. Kimberley Warren Rhodes, Astrobiology Chair: krhodes@seti.org
For astrobiology applied to Earth’s environmental change, please contact Dr. Nathalie A. Cabrol: ncabrol@seti.org
Connect with us on the website at www.seti.org and on social media (@setiinstitute)