The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Fellowship program is intended to identify, support and help develop the next generation of outstanding scientists, who demonstrate the highest levels of excellence in their accomplishments, capacity for independent work, and ability to compete for the most prestigious academic and other positions.
Beckman Fellows will be appointed for a term of up to three years. Candidates must have completed their Ph.D. by the time their appointment begins, and must be appointed as a Caltech postdoctoral fellow before the Beckman Fellowship can be activated. Primary salary support is the responsibility of the Fellow and the host laboratory PI. Appointees will be designated "Beckman Institute Postdoctoral Scholar"; those with extensive postdoctoral experience or other special qualifications may be designated "Beckman Senior Research Fellow" and may also have the rank of Senior Research Fellow at Caltech.
New Beckman Fellows will receive an award of $15K on appointment, in recognition of their status. As a part of the community of Beckman Scholars, each Fellow is expected to participate in the BI supported activities that are intended to increase inter-disciplinary and inter-laboratory interactions.
Each Beckman Fellow can apply to the BI for research funding, up to a maximum total of $90K over the three year term. These funds are particularly intended to encourage Fellows to work on more independent and/or interdisciplinary projects. This funding may be used for any of a variety of purposes -- e.g., to acquire equipment not available in the Fellow's home labs, support a technician, purchase special supplies, cover the costs of support services, etc. -- and may be used at any time over the course of the project, as appropriate. Proposals for research funding will be accepted at the time of the original application or during the term of the Fellowship.
Fellows may carry out their research program in affiliation with one or more existing programs (Resource Centers, Pilot Projects, Director's Initiatives, etc.) in the Beckman Institute or with a research group at Caltech outside the Beckman Institute. In the latter case, we will give priority to research plans that have significant interaction or overlap of interests with the Beckman Institute. The Beckman Institute mission statement and a listing of activities may be found on this website.
Applications for the next round of Fellowships must be received no later than ~~~~~~. Recipients will be announced in spring ~~~~, and may begin their terms immediately (for those already in postdoc positions at Caltech) or on arrival later during the year.
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the scientific excellence of the candidate and the proposed project. The highest priority will be given to outstanding projects that would be difficult or impossible to accomplish without BI support; the relevance of the proposed program to the Beckman Institute mission and activities will also be considered. Interdisciplinary character in the project is desirable but not required..
Electronic submission of all materials (including letters of reference) is preferred, by email to jal@its.caltech.edu. Alternatively, hard copies may be sent to:
Beckman Fellowships
California Institute of Technology
MC 139-74
Pasadena, CA 91125
Caltech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and disabled persons are encouraged to apply.
The Beckman Institute home page provides general information about the Beckman Institute, as well as links to descriptions of the research programs and facilities within the Institute. Descriptions of research programs at Caltech but outside the Beckman Institute may be found by following links from the Caltech Academics and Research page. These websites are an excellent starting point for prospective applicants seeking to identify potential collaborations for their research programs. Other inquiries may be directed to Jay Labinger, jal@its.caltech.edu.