Scientific Scope
The program supports postdoctoral researchers (Fellows) who apply AI methodology to address significant research questions in science and engineering. AI is defined broadly to include machine learning, robotics, Bayesian inference, and simulation. Science and engineering includes mathematical sciences, physical sciences, earth and environmental sciences, and engineering, as well as biological and biomedical science research that uses AI methods to understand the basic biological processes, disease mechanisms and propagation (in silico, in vitro and animal models). However, biomedical or healthcare research with a focus on developing or improving disease preventions, cures or treatments is out of scope. All other disciplines are out of the scope. See FAQ for additional explanations.
Please note that there is a sister program at MIDAS, the Michigan Data Science Fellows (DS Fellows) Program, which focuses on data science methodology and applications in social science and healthcare research. Potential applicants whose research is out of scope of the Schmidt AI in Science program may consider applying to the DS Fellows program.
Eligibility
- The candidate must have a PhD degree prior to the start date of the Fellow appointment, but within five (5) years.
- The PhD can be in any field. (Note the science and engineering domains listed above that are in scope: these apply to the area of proposed work, but not to the field of PhD degree).
- It is acceptable for the candidate to already have a postdoc position, whether at U-M or elsewhere (please refer to the FAQs for complete details about U-M candidates).
- The candidate should not have had a faculty appointment anywhere that is equivalent to a North American university’s tenure-track position.
- The ideal candidate will have training in both AI (at least one sub-area) and the domain discipline. However, this may not be the case for many candidates.
- We require that a candidate have deep expertise in at least one of the two: either AI methodologies or the domain discipline, in conjunction with demonstrated interest in the other.
- The key requirement is evidence of excellence and a passion for the proposed research direction at the intersection of two disciplines.
We recognize that strength comes through diversity and actively seek and welcome both candidates and mentors with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities.
Individuals already at U-M are eligible to apply if their proposed project AND proposed faculty mentors are different from their current ones. Please see the FAQs for more information.
The Application Process
- An applicant will need to first secure interest from two U-M faculty members who agree to be their Science mentor and AI mentor respectively. See the FAQ for how to find mentors, and a list of faculty members who are interested in serving as AI mentors.
- An applicant may reach out to any U-M faculty member(s) to inquire.
- If one faculty member agrees to be a mentor, they may work with the applicant together to secure a second mentor.
- If needed, the program team will help identify AI mentors. Please email schmidt-aim@umich.edu.
- Applicants are encouraged to consult with the mentors extensively about the research statement and career goals before submitting the application.
The Application Package
The application should be one .pdf file with the following components, each prepared with legible formatting, including at least 1 inch margin on all sides:
- The candidate’s CV.
- Six (6) keywords about research plan.
- Brief summary of the proposed research (3 sentences or less). Note: accepted applicants will have this summary posted on the program website.
- Research Statement, up to 2 pages, font size 10 and above, that includes
- A compelling vision and a plausible approach to achieving that vision. Note that the program seeks to promote research that is transformative and creative, with the potential to spur significant advances in the application of AI in science domains. The statement should also describe the feasibility of the initial scope of the proposed research; and its potential to grow into a sustained research program for an independent research career.
- Qualifications that make the applicant particularly suitable for this program;
- Essential citations used in the research statement should be included in the 2 pages.
- Individualized Development Plan (IDP), up to 2 pages, font size 10 and above, that will include:
- Past accomplishments and current skills that will contribute to the applicant’s success in this postdoctoral training program.
- The AI expertise the applicant will need to acquire during the Fellowship and an initial learning plan that may consist of a variety of formal and informal options;
- Long-term career aspirations, including research, professional development, and career goals, and how this Fellowship will benefit those;
- How the applicant will contribute to the Program.
- Responsible AI Statement, up to ½ page, font size 10 and above. Applicants should describe their approaches to responsible AI research. From the rigor of study design and the explainability of models, to the unbiased use of data and algorithms, and to data sharing and making a research project fully reproducible, responsible AI is critical to both science and society. While such issues may be particularly salient with human subjects or societal impacts, all researchers need to take into consideration the effect of flawed data, brittle analyses, and irreproducible results.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Statement, up to ½ page, font size 10 and above. Describe how the candidate’s life experiences, past activities or anticipated activities will contribute to DEI of the program and to the U-M AI in Science community.
- A Letter of Support from each proposed faculty mentor. This is not a reference letter. Instead, this is similar to a letter of support that is included in a training grant, delineating the applicant’s qualifications, the significance of the research project, the fit with this program, and a plan to mentor the applicant and to support their career development. The mentors should also provide an explicit commitment to providing sufficient research resources and to participate in the overall Schmidt AI in Science program (see “Expectations” above).
- Names and contact information of two or three additional references. Please ask the letter writers to email the letters directly to schmidt-aim@umich.edu by the deadline.
Timeline
- Priority deadline: 11:59 pm EST, Nov. 23, 2024. All applications received by this deadline will be given full consideration. Late applications may be considered until all slots are filled.
- Offers will start to be sent out in early February 2025.
- Accepted Fellows will have two weeks to decide whether to accept the offer.
- The expected start date will be between Aug. 1 and Sept. 15, 2025, negotiable for special cases.
Selection Criteria
- Fit with the program: whether the proposed research vision and the specific project align with the program scope.
- Candidate qualification: the candidate’s past experience and accomplishments in both AI and domain research; the candidate’s potential to become a research leader of the next generation: their willingness to take risks, creativity and originality, curiosity, collaborative spirit, entrepreneurship, and the ability to think big, as reflected in their past accomplishments and proposed plans.
- Research statement: the vision, the approach, and initial feasibility, the potential of making groundbreaking discoveries, the potential of becoming a sustained research portfolio after the Fellow leaves the program.
- Skills development: the candidate’s potential to acquire strong AI skills for the proposed research and long-term impact in the field; evidence that the candidate and mentors have carefully thought about the needs for skills development and are committed to it.
- Mentors: whether the selection of mentor(s) is appropriate for the research project, the training plan, and career development, as well as consistency among the mentor’s letters and the explicit commitment of the mentors in participating in the broader program.
- Diversity: Of both fellows and mentors, along multiple dimensions, including demographics and disciplines.
- For University of Michigan internal applicants: whether the proposed research is significantly different from the current research and whether the proposed mentors are different from current ones.
For questions, please contact schmidt-aim@umich.edu.
List of Interested AI Mentors
Click here for the a list of interested AI Mentors.
Submission
Online submission only, through our application form.