MICDE Research Scholars Program

Join this MICDE program to shape the future in which computations are a generator of knowledge and provide direct solutions to grand challenges facing science and society.

Description

Application Process

This program is designed for research scholars with two objectives in mind:

  1. Enable breakthroughs and expand the frontiers of computational science, AI, and HPC via strategic research initiatives led by MICDE faculty members

  2. Provide research scholars with career development opportunities. Towards this end, this program will provide active mentoring to research scholars in two tracks: i) placement in faculty positions and ii) placement in national laboratories

Applications Accepted Year-Round

Apply Here

A unique feature of this program is that research scholars will work on new initiatives as a cohort with other research fellows and their mentors rather than the traditional mode of working on one-off projects with individual faculty members.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of this program. We believe in cultivating a supportive, collaborative environment where knowledge is shared, and ideas are challenged and refined. Our faculty are committed to providing guidance and working alongside a diverse set of postdoctoral fellows to achieve research goals.

We invite you to be a part of this exciting venture. Whether you are a faculty member with a vision or a postdoctoral candidate ready to push the boundaries of computational science, AI, and HPC, the MICDE Research Scholar Program will be a platform for innovation and excellence.

The research scholar applicants will submit their applications directly to MICDE. Application materials and requirements are detailed below.

MICDE Initiatives
  • Algorithm/software/hardware co-design for scientific computing
  • Multi-fidelity and reduced order modeling for scientific computing
  • AI-augmented science and AI-augmented mathematics
  • Advancements in Computational Astrophysics

Along these lines, we encourage faculty to propose their vision for new initiatives with a statement of potential impact on science, by sending us an email to: [email protected]

    We are looking for research fellows year-round. Under this program, MICDE will cover 50% of the stipend of the research scholar and $5,000/year of travel and research expenses. The remaining costs will be covered by faculty mentors. The minimum duration of the program is two years. Half of the fellowships are intended for US citizens.

    Application Process

    Apply Here

    Submission Guidelines

    Applications accepted anytime.

    Applications received after this date will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with a strong support by the potential mentor.

    Eligibility

    Applicants should hold a PhD or obtain a PhD within nine (9) months of the submission date in a field relevant to the proposed research. Half of the fellowships are for US citizens.

    Potential Mentors

    Applicants do not have to identify potential mentors. However, we do encourage applicants with a preference for potential mentors to include that information in their application. This will help narrow down applicant-mentor pairing.

    Step 1: Applicant should submit:

    • Research proposal (up to two pages) describing the planned research, ideas, and insights. Working with potential mentors on the proposal is encouraged. The proposal can be quite technical in its exposition as experts in relevant fields will review it;
    • Names and contact information of two or three references;
    • 2-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) with a separate publication list.

      A MICDE committee will review the applications at the end of each month and generate a shortlist, after which it will begin the process of identifying mentors. Once the review committee shortlists an application, a conversation will be initiated between MICDE, the potential mentor, and the candidate to identify a statement of research, the funding, and the mentoring path.

       

      Step 2: The potential mentors will submit:

      1-page training/career plan that includes how the applicant will be integrated into UM, about mentoring activities to enable the applicant to be competitive for research positions after finishing the program

      1-page letter that speaks about the applicant’s qualifications and the potential impact of the proposed research

      Application Review

      Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

        • Proposed research relevance to advancing computational science and engineering
        • Proposed research advancement of the MICDE’s strategic initiatives (see above). Priority will be given to proposed research that combine two or more initiatives.
        • Recommendations from references and mentors
        • Publication record, recognition within the field, and any noteworthy accomplishments
        • Coherent plan to utilize the U-M resources and network for career advancement