Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards in Studying Complex Systems

Applying for the Letter of Intent to Fund Phase

Interested in applying for a JSMF Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in Complex Systems? Complete this brief eligibility quiz to help determine your eligibility to receive a letter of intent to fund. If you are eligible to apply, you will receive the RFA.

  1. Do you have theoretical and/or experimental training in Complex Systems ScienceThe Complex Systems program supports scholarship and research directed toward the development of theoretical and mathematical tools that can be applied to the study of complex, adaptive, nonlinear systems. It is anticipated that research funded in this program will address important questions in diverse fields. While the program's emphasis is on the development and application of the theory and tools used in the study of complex research questions and not on particular fields of research per se, JSMF is particularly interested in the continued development of complex systems science, and in projects attempting to apply complex systems approaches to coherently articulated questions. Proposals intending to apply complex system tools and models to problems where such approaches are not yet considered usual or mainstream are appropriate to the RFA but should be well justified as to why such approaches would be an advance.?
    Yes No
  1. Do you currently have a Ph.D. or will you receive a Ph.D. on or before June 15, 2012?
    Yes No
  1. Will you have completed all of your coursework (and dissertation) between January 1, 2013 and December 15, 2013?
    Yes No
  1. Have you already identified the institution and mentor for your future postdoctoral position?
    Yes No
  1. Beginning with the 2012 competition, JSMF Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards can only be used for a postdoctoral position at institutions with 501(c)(3) or equivalent status or foreign equivalent that is already on file with the foundation. Are you willing to only pursue a postdoctoral position that meets this criteria?
    Yes No
  1. Do you understand that a letter of intent, if awarded, must be activated sometime from January 15, 2013 through December 15th, 2013, and if the letter of intent not activated during that time period, it will be invalid?
    Yes No

  1. Great News!

    Based on your responses to the eligibility quiz, you are eligible to apply for a JSMF postdoctoral fellowship. The instructions for how to apply are below.

     PDF Download the 2012 Guidelines or copy and save the instructions below.

    Applying for the Letter of Intent to Fund Phase

    It should be clear from the application that the reason for pursuing a post-doctoral position is qualitatively adding to their training by pursuing a postdoctoral position.  Ideally, the fellowship will allow the applicant to broaden their skills, knowledge, and scientific contacts.    

    Complete applications must be uploaded to the JSMF website. Submissions for the letter of intent to fund phase must contain:

    To be submitted as a single PDF file by the applicant:

    • A JSMF Coversheet (download templates: Word | PDF)
    • A brief description of the student’s current and future research interests written in essay format (2500 word maximum).
      • Include how the student’s future plans fit this specific program.
      • Explain the student's research principles are connected to the field of complex systems.
    • A description of the postdoctoral position the student will seek to obtain and what he or she intends to achieve during postdoctoral training (1000 words maximum).   
      • Evidence of thoughtful decision making concerning the expectations and goals of further research training will be an important selection factor.
    • The student's curriculum vita (2 page maximum).

     

    To be submitted separately by the Ph.D. mentor and other faculty member:

    Two letters of support

    • Letter of support from Ph.D. mentor.
      • Should address the student's qualifications and the benefits anticipated to be gained during a period of postdoctoral training.  
      • Must provide assurance that the student will complete all Ph.D. degree requirements and be able to start a postdoctoral position in 2013.
    • Letter of support from a faculty member familiar with, but not directly involved in supervising, the student and the student’s research.
      • Should address the student's qualifications and the benefits anticipated to be gained during a period of postdoctoral training.  

     

     

    How to Submit an Application

    The deadline for applications is June 15, 2012, 15:59 Central Time.  Late applications will not be reviewed. We recommend submitting applications at least 24 hours before the deadline.

    Beginning April 27 15, 2012, you may use this link to upload applications:  https://secure.jsmf.org/apply/postdoc

    Before you can submit an application, you will be required to create an account, verify your email address, and enter basic information about yourself.

    To submit an application you will be required to enter:

    • A brief, ‘Tweet’ length (140 character or less) descriptive application title
    • The applicant's contact information (name, email, current institution)
    • The name, institution, and email address of your Ph.D. mentor that will be providing letter #1 of support
    • The name, institution, and email address of the person that will be providing letter #2 of support

    Finally, you will then select and upload a PDF version containing all the required information.

     

    How to Submit a Letter of Support

    The deadline for letters of support is June 15, 2012, 15:59 Central Time.  Late letters will not be reviewed. We recommend submitting letters of support at least 24 hours before the deadline.

    Students must request two letters of support that address the student’s qualifications and benefits anticipated to be gained during a period of postdoctoral training. Letters of support should not be included in the application file. Letters must be submitted directly by the letter writer.

    Beginning April 27 15, 2012, you may use this link to upload letters of reference:  https://secure.jsmf.org/apply/postdoc

    When the link to submit recommendations is active, letter submitters will be required to enter his or her:

    • Name, institution, and email address
    • The applicant’s name and email address
    • Select and then upload a PDF version of the letter of reference.

    Upon successful upload, both the individual submitting the letter of reference and the applicant will be emailed a receipt.

     

    Guidelines for Letters of Support

    • Letter of support from Ph.D. mentor
      • Should address the student's qualifications and the benefits anticipated to be gained during a period of postdoctoral training.  
      • Must provide assurance that the student will complete all Ph.D. degree requirements and be able to start a postdoctoral position in 2013.
    • Letter of support from a faculty member familiar with, but not directly involved in supervising, the student and the student’s research.
      • Should address the student's qualifications and the benefits anticipated to be gained during a period of postdoctoral training.  
    • Letters must be on institutional letterhead (if available) and in PDF format
    • No more than two (2) pages in length.
    • Letters of support that are emailed, faxed, or sent by physical mail will not be processed.

     

      

  1. We're Sorry...

    Based on your responses to the eligibility quiz, you are not eligible to apply. Visit this link to review the eligiblity guidelines for the Postdoctoral Fellowship program.

      

This page last updated 2012-04-13