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The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship (a programme of Schmidt Sciences) at Oxford is part of a new international initiative to drive innovative use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in STEM research (engineering, and the natural and mathematical sciences). Oxford will host c.55 postdoctoral fellows (totalling 110 years of research) over six years, and provide them with the tools to increase the scope and speed of their research through the application of AI and Machine Learning (ML). The Fellows will also be offered the opportunity to hold an Associate Research Fellowship at Reuben College.
In the third round, funding is available to support up to 9 two-year fellowships starting from April 2025. Fellowships will cover the award holder's salary along with contributions towards research and travel costs. Further rounds will be announced annually.
This prestigious Fellowship programme aims to accelerate scientific progress through the application of AI to STEM research, offering Fellows the opportunity to pursue an independent research path, whilst benefitting from a bespoke training programme, mentoring from leading Oxford researchers, and cohort learning through regular peer-to-peer activities across the Schmidt AI in Science Fellows at Oxford. This program will not support core AI research; rather, it will provide funding for fellows developing and applying AI techniques to research in engineering and the natural and mathematical sciences. That could be AI researchers applying methods in other fields, or STEM researchers wishing to transform their research using the possibilities of AI. Our scheme does not fund direct medical-related AI research.
Potential fellows should have enough general understanding of AI concepts and techniques to understand how these could lead to major improvements and expansions of their research, as well as potential ethical implications.
This program will not support core AI research in computer science, statistics or mathematical sciences; rather, it will provide funding for fellows developing and applying AI techniques to research in engineering, and the natural and mathematical sciences.
The primary criterion will be that the underpinning applied science is internationally leading, with the application of AI/ML techniques appropriate and likely to lead to a step-change in the application domain.
Applicants will need to submit a research proposal for a programme of work that will deliver research in an area of mathematical, physical or (non-medical) life sciences with a focus on the application of AI to accelerate scientific progress in that field. Proposals are invited in any area of STEM where the innovative use of AI and/or Machine Learning will accelerate new scientific directions and applications. Example application areas range across net zero and clean energy (for example new materials for clean energy application, and electrochemical batteries), life sciences (for example AI for engineering biology), sustainability (in ecology and conservation), technologies of the future (including quantum computing, aerospace engineering and CFD, and materials design), and understanding the universe (with applications in particle physics, quantum ML and astrophysics).
Please note that the Fellowship programme does not fund those applying AI within the medical sciences.
The research elements of the Fellowship programme take place within the stimulating intellectual environment of research groups embedded within the academic departments of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division,
Further information on research areas can be found on the MPLS departmental websites:
Your research proposal must have the support of an Oxford faculty member in one of the above departments and confirmation from the department that they are ready and willing to host the Fellow.
More information on the application process can be found on the how to apply webpage.
