Job Description
School: Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department/Area: Kempner Institute at Harvard University
Position Description The Kempner Institute at Harvard University seeks early-career researchers to help shape the future of AI as Postdoctoral AI Researchers. We are looking for candidates with deep expertise in modern machine learning and a strong record of research accomplishment who are excited to advance foundation models, agentic systems, and new AI approaches for high-impact scientific applications.
We seek candidates with strong technical preparation in modern AI/ML, a demonstrated record of scholarly achievement, and an interest in contributing to ambitious research at the frontier of machine learning and science. Areas of particular interest include:
- foundation model training, evaluation, scaling, and adaptation
- agentic workflows, tool-augmented models, and AI systems
- bespoke scientific applications of AI/ML, including the life sciences
- alternative architectures and systems-level approaches to modern AI
Postdoctoral AI Researchers will work closely with Kempner faculty, researchers, and students on foundational machine learning and domain-informed scientific applications. These positions are especially well suited to candidates prepared to contribute to advanced research programs in modern AI while continuing to grow as scholars within a collaborative academic environment.
Postdoctoral AI Researchers will work closely with Kempner faculty, researchers, and students on foundational machine learning and domain-informed scientific applications. The position is particularly well-suited to candidates eager to contribute to advanced research programs in modern AI while continuing to grow as independent scholars within a collaborative academic environment.
Candidates should be within 2 years of receiving their doctoral degree and will work under the direction of Kempner Institute faculty.
Appointment Terms - Postdoctoral AI Researchers conduct research under the general supervision of one or more Kempner faculty members
- The appointment is for one year; reappointment may be possible for up to a total of three years, contingent on funding, project needs, satisfactory performance, and mutual interest.
- This is a full-time, benefits-eligible postdoctoral appointment based at the Kempner Institute at Harvard University.
- Due to the importance of in-person mentoring and collaboration, this position is based on campus, full-time, at Harvard University. Remote work for this position is not possible.
Basic Qualifications - PhD in computer science, statistics, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, computational biology, or a related quantitative field required by the expected start date.
- Candidates must have received their PhD on or after September 15, 2024, or be on track to complete all PhD requirements by the expected start date of October 15, 2026.
- Demonstrated expertise in modern AI/ML, including deep learning and hands-on experience with frameworks such as PyTorch or JAX.
- Strong publication record in leading venues such as ICML, ICLR, NeurIPS, or comparable conferences and journals.
- Demonstrated experience implementing, training, evaluating, or fine-tuning modern machine learning models.
- Strong programming skills in Python and experience building and maintaining research code.
- Demonstrated ability to use modern AI-assisted and agentic coding tools effectively, such as Claude Code, Codex, or similar systems, in research and development workflows.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment and communicate technical work clearly.
Additional Qualifications - Experience with foundation model training, post-training, adaptation, or evaluation
- Experience with agentic workflows, tool use, retrieval systems, or related AI systems
- Experience with large-scale datasets, distributed training, or high-performance computing environments
- Interest in scientific applications of AI/ML, including the life sciences
- Interest in alternative architectures and systems-level approaches to AI
Special Instructions Please submit the following items in PDF format no later than
11:59pm EST Monday, June 8, 2026: - CV
- A research statement of no more than 2 pages describing your experience in foundation models, agentic systems, scientific applications of AI/ML, and/or systems-level approaches to modern AI. Please be specific about your individual contributions.
- References - 2-3 required
- Please give the emails of up to 2 individuals who can describe your previous related work.
- Referees will be contacted to submit the letters directly to the Kempner Institute.
- The application will not be considered complete until all letters have been received.
Candidates selected for further consideration will be asked to submit a short video presentation reviewing their past work; additional details will be provided at that stage. Following review of the videos, a subset of candidates will be invited to interview with members of the selection committee via Zoom.
Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis if positions remain available.
We anticipate a start date of
October 15, 2026 .
Contact Information Molly Marshall
Contact Email: KempnerInstitute@Harvard.edu
Salary Range Expected salary is
$100,000 , subject to compliance with the applicable salary requirements for the appointment. This is a benefits eligible position.
Minimum Number of References Required: 2
Maximum Number of References Allowed: 3
Job Tags
Full time