Postdoctoral Fellows Program: Advancing Research in Physical AI

Purdue University, Main Campus

Applications Due: September 1, 2025

Application and Submission Process

Purdue University has launched a new major initiative, Purdue Computes, consisting of four pillars (Computing, Physical Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors and Quantum) that will connect faculty, researchers, and students from across the institution. With generous support from the Lilly Endowment, the Institute for Physical Artificial Intelligence (IPAI) invites applications for its flagship IPAI Postdoctoral Fellows Program that will advance interdisciplinary research in physical artificial intelligence and establish next-generation leaders in this emerging field.

Program Description

The Institute for Physical Artificial Intelligence will provide funding to support postdoctoral fellows whose innovative projects in artificial intelligence have the ability to make tangible impact on real-world problems in our physical environment.

The IPAI Postdoctoral Fellows Program funds a postdoc full-time for 24 months, subject to satisfactory performance. During this period, fellows undertake independent research projects with IPAI faculty mentors, participate in professional development activities, including activities through IPAI, and are required to submit annual reports on their accomplishments.

Postdoctoral Fellows will select mentors from the list of IPAI affiliated faculty to apply artificial intelligence for the common good.

The proposed research projects must advance core AI or interdisciplinary applications of AI in domains such as manufacturing, materials, semiconductors, quantum systems, urban infrastructure, life sciences and medicine, robotics, autonomy, etc. These projects are expected to lead to major funding programs, make significant scientific impact, and help the fellows achieve leadership in their respective disciplines.

Benefits of IPAI’s Postdoctoral Fellows Program

Funded fellows will be full-time staff and receive an annual salary of $70,000 and benefits. Participating postdocs will also receive $2,500 for professional development (e.g. attending conferences or workshops) and $35,000 to support their research. The expected start date is January 2026.

Eligibility

Candidates for IPAI Fellows program must have:

• Received a Ph.D. degree in a field related to artificial intelligence and its applications within the past five years.
• Demonstrated track record of research contributions to artificial intelligence and its applications.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Application and Submission Process

Applicants must submit an application by September 1, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET.  Applications should be submitted as a single PDF file attachment named IPAIFellows.pdf followed by the applicant(s) last name(s) (e.g. IPAIFellowsSmith) to an email message addressed to ipai@purdue.edu. IPAI anticipates awarding up to five postdocs in 2025.

Applications should include the following information:

• A cover letter expressing interest in the Fellowship, identifying major research areas, and two faculty members from among the list of IPAI faculty affiliates who would serve as the Fellow’s mentors.
• A complete CV including education, employment history, and list of publications.
• One page statement of research interests.
• Names and contact information of three references.