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Lamont-Doherty Postdoctoral Fellowships (Earth, Environmental & Climate Sciences)
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Publish Date 9/29/2026 Application Deadline 11/6/2026 Opportunity Type Jobs Publisher Foras Khadra Available Countries All World, The Arab World, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Djibouti, Somalia, Comoros Description

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University offers postdoctoral research fellowships to researchers in the fields of Earth sciences, environmental sciences, and climate sciences. The fellowship is intended for researchers who have recently completed their PhD or who expect to complete all PhD requirements by September 2027. The program supports advanced research aimed at understanding the Earth’s chemical, physical, and biological systems, including interactions between the Earth and human societies.

Research areas include solid Earth dynamics; ocean, atmosphere, and climate systems; cryosphere dynamics; paleoclimate; Earth biological sciences; solutions to air, water, and soil pollution; as well as a specialized opportunity in forest ecology. The Observatory also encourages researchers with backgrounds in machine learning and artificial intelligence to apply. Successful fellows will develop their research at the Observatory in collaboration with researchers and potential supervisors, focusing on advanced problems in Earth sciences.
Details
  • Organizing Institution : Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University.
  • Fields : Earth sciences, environmental sciences, climate sciences, and the study of the Earth’s chemical, physical, and biological systems.
  • Seven Research Areas Available in the Application
  • Forest ecology.
  • Solid Earth dynamics.
  • Ocean, atmosphere, and climate systems.
  • Cryosphere dynamics.
  • Paleoclimate.
  • Earth biological sciences.
  • Solutions to air, water, or soil pollution affecting communities.
  • Fellowship Duration : 24 months.
  • Location : Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York, United States.
  • Expected Fellowship Start : Fall 2027 or Spring 2028.
  • Annual Salary : USD 72,116 per year.
  • Research Allowance : USD 12,000 as a one-time research allowance.
  • Relocation Allowance : USD 1,500.
  • Housing : Fellows are eligible to apply for Columbia University housing. However, availability is limited and there may be a waiting period.
  • Number of Fellowships :The number of fellowships varies from year to year.
  • Required Documents : Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications , Research proposal , Names of three referees, along with their email addresses.
  • Research Proposal : The proposal must not exceed three pages, excluding references. It must include a title and the applicant’s name on the first page and must use 12-point font.
  • Artificial Intelligence Disclosure : Applicants must provide a brief statement indicating whether generative artificial intelligence tools were used in preparing the research proposal and explaining how they were used.
  • Contact with Potential Supervisors : Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors at Lamont as early as possible before applying to discuss possible research collaboration.
  • Recommendation Letters : After the application is submitted, the three referees designated by the applicant will automatically receive a request to submit recommendation letters. These letters must be submitted by November 13, 2026.
  • Maximum Postdoctoral Experience :Columbia University has a total limit of five years of experience in postdoctoral positions.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Applicants must have recently completed a PhD or expect to complete all PhD requirements by September 2027.
  • The applicant’s research field must be related to Earth sciences, environmental sciences, climate sciences, or one of the relevant research areas accepted by the Observatory.
  • Applicants should demonstrate a high level of scientific excellence.
  • Applicants must submit a clear research plan addressing one or more problems at the forefront of Earth science research.
  • All relevant research areas are open for applications.
  • Applicants with backgrounds in machine learning and artificial intelligence are particularly encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants must select one primary research area from the seven areas specified in the application.
  • Applicants must submit a CV including a publication list.
  • Applicants must submit a research proposal of no more than three pages, excluding references.
  • Applicants must provide the names of three referees who can submit recommendation letters.
  • Applicants must provide a current email address for each referee.
  • Applicants must comply with the research proposal formatting requirements, including placing their name on the first page and using 12-point font.
  • Applicants must provide a disclosure regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence in preparing the research proposal.
  • The expected fellowship start date must be Fall 2027 or Spring 2028.
  • The website does not specify any nationality or residency requirement.
Opportunity Benefits
  • A fully funded 24-month postdoctoral fellowship.
  • Annual salary of USD 72,116.
  • USD 12,000 one-time research allowance.
  • USD 1,500 relocation allowance.
  • Eligibility to apply for Columbia University housing, subject to limited availability.
  • Opportunity to conduct advanced research in Earth, environmental, and climate sciences.
  • Opportunity to work and collaborate with scientists and researchers at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
  • Fellows are encouraged to apply for external funding.
  • Potential eligibility for additional internal awards and positions in the future.
  • Opportunity to build an academic and research network at Columbia University.
  • No application fee is specified on the website.