The Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS) Junior Researcher Collaborations Funding Opportunity is seeking applications from graduate students, postdoctoral students and non-tenure line faculty to contribute to multiple research projects put forward by Penn State faculty.
Applications are due on Monday, June 16. Junior researchers can apply via InfoReady.
Penn State faculty submitted over 100 project proposals to the initial call.
"The program represents a significant investment in the development of new and upcoming researchers who are increasingly expected to work in interdisciplinary teams that combine domain expertise with the advanced computational and data science methods championed by ICDS," said Eric Ford, ICDS co-hire and distinguished professor in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics in the Eberly College of Science. "This is more than just a mentorship opportunity. Junior researchers will participate in research projects with multiple Penn State faculty and help grow the interdisciplinary research community at ICDS and at Penn State."
Selected junior researchers will form a cohort with shared interests in applying advanced statistical and computational methods to a diverse range of problems. They will also have the opportunity to engage in professional development opportunities such as seminars, workshops and ICDS training during the academic year.
Selected junior researchers will be awarded financial support commiserate with their position and stage of progress. For example, a graduate student may earn a stipend for a graduate research assistantship at the pay grade typical for the student's department and stage of progress toward a degree, while a postdoctoral researcher or non-tenure line faculty member may have 25% to 50% of their salary supported. Anticipated starting dates also depend on position. Postdoctoral scholars may request support to start as early as Aug. 1. Graduate students may request support for the fall 2025 or spring 2026 semesters and/or summer 2026.
Junior researchers - current graduate students, and current or incoming postdocs and non-tenure line research faculty - can view available projects on the ICDS website and apply to contribute to the projects that match their expertise and interests.
Penn State faculty from across diverse domains submitted more than 100 project proposals that could effectively integrate a junior researcher during the coming year. Each of these projects advances at least one of ICDS' main interest areas of artificial intelligence (AI), computational and data sciences, digital twins or quantum sciences.
Some examples include:
- Enhancing geospatial satellite data using deep learning
- Forecasting volcano eruptions
- Using AI to generate realistic landscape topography
- Predicting HIV treatment compliance with machine learning
Junior researchers are strongly encouraged to apply to two projects: one that is closely aligned with their existing research program, and one that stretches them beyond what their current research group or program is focused on. Alternatively, one of their projects could be of service to the ICDS community by contributing to the RISE team of expert scientists and engineers, or by organizing ICDS activities like seminars, trainings or annual symposia.
For complete details and to view proposals, visit the ICDS website.
