Postdoctoral Program & Opportunities

Postdoctoral Research in Earth and Space Sciences

The Department of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington hosts a vibrant community of postdoctoral scholars conducting research across the geosciences. Postdoctoral researchers play a key role in advancing discovery within our department and collaborate closely with faculty, students, and researchers across the University of Washington and its affiliated research centers.

ESS offers access to a broad range of research facilities, laboratories, field programs, and interdisciplinary collaborations. We encourage prospective postdoctoral scholars to explore our faculty research areas, research centers, and facilities to identify potential opportunities and collaborators.

Research Centers & Facilities

Prospective postdoctoral researchers interested in joining ESS are encouraged to contact faculty members whose research aligns with their interests. Many positions are supported through externally funded research grants, while others are available through competitive fellowship programs.

ESS Faculty Directory

Current Postdoctoral Scholars

Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunities

Heising-Simons 51 Pegasi b Fellowship

The Heising-Simons Foundation’s 51 Pegasi b Fellowship supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers pursuing innovating research in planetary science, exoplanetary science, and astrobiology. Faculty in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences are eligible to host fellows, and successful applicants receive three years of funding with the opportunity to apply for a fourth year. Potential ESS faculty mentors include David Catling, Baptiste Journaux, Joshua Krissansen-Totton, and Dale Winebrenner.

Prospective applicants should contact a potential faculty mentor to discuss their proposed research before submitting an application. See here for details on the participation of all eligible UW faculty in the Heising-Simons Foundation 51 Pegasi b fellowships.

51 Pegasi b Fellowship & Application Information

Typically, the annual deadline for fellowship proposals is around October and candidates are notified in the following year of the outcome.

USGS Mendenhall Research Fellowship Program

ESS faculty and researchers frequently collaborate with U.S. Geological Survey scientists through the USGS Mendenhall Research Fellowship Program. These competitive fellowships support postdoctoral researchers conducting focused research in partnership with USGS scientists across a broad range of topics, including geophysics, natural hazards, energy resources, hydrology, and Earth system science. Opportunities are announced regularly through the USGS and may be based at the University of Washington when projects involve USGS scientists affiliated with ESS research programs.