Postdoctoral Fellow, Open Call

About The Fellowship

Basis offers postdoctoral fellowships for highly qualified researchers to deepen their expertise in computational theories of intelligence. Fellows work closely with Basis Research Scientists and partnering Principal Investigators (PIs) from academic institutions.

About Basis

Basis is a nonprofit applied AI research organization with two goals: understanding and building intelligence, and advancing society's ability to solve complex problems. It builds a new technological foundation inspired by human reasoning and operates as a collaborative organization prioritizing human values.

How it Works

Fellows are jointly mentored and funded by Basis and partner PIs at academic institutions. They split their time between Basis and the academic PI’s lab, functioning like a jointly advised postdoctoral position. Fellows are paired with a Basis mentor who aligns with their research program and goals. There are two pathways: joining an existing project or proposing a new research direction through the open call.

Who We're Looking For

• Researchers with a PhD in computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational neuroscience, cognitive science, or related fields.
• Demonstrated track record in scientific research, evidenced through publications, technical reports, or impactful software projects.

Core Responsibilities

• Conduct independent and collaborative research within the thematic areas of Basis, focusing on computational theories of intelligence.
• Disseminate research findings through academic publications and presentations at leading conferences.
• Engage in knowledge transfer within Basis and with external partners, converting research into actionable insights and algorithms.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to the scientific discourse at Basis through seminars, workshops, and collaborative projects.

Role Details

• Full-time: 1 to 2 years.
• Location: New York City and Boston.
• Salary: Competitive with leading postdoctoral fellowships.
• Start date: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis; immediate start possible.

Application Components

• A cover letter (no more than 2 pages) that includes:
  • A brief description of your PhD research and past accomplishments.
  • A list of at least three potential PI mentors outside of Basis.
  • If you have a relationship with them or have discussed the proposed work with them, please let us know.
• Your CV research proposal (no more than 3 pages, not including references) outlining plans for research to be performed.

FAQs

• How is this fellowship different from a Research Scientist position at Basis?
  • Differences:
    • Duration: Fellowship is time-limited, usually spanning 1 to 2 years.
    • Academic Collaboration: Fellows have co-mentorship from academic PIs.
    • Emphasis on Publication: Fellows are expected to publish their research, aligning more closely with traditional academic roles.
  • Similarities:
    • Contributions to Core Technology: Fellows contribute to Basis core technology.
    • Basis supports fellows without extensive software engineering experience to develop these skills.
    • Fellows have access to an annual allocation of research funds ($5,000) for research expenses, skill development, conference attendance, and more.
    • Fellows participate in Basis events, on-sites, and other activities, and may collaborate on other Basis projects.
• What happens after the fellowship?
  • Postdoctoral Fellows may be offered a full-time Research Scientist position at Basis, contingent upon performance and organizational needs.

Compensation Range

$100K