Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship
Schmidt Sciences (Oxford, UCSD, Toronto, Imperial, others)
A Schmidt Sciences-funded network of postdoctoral fellowships at multiple universities, for researchers applying AI methods to accelerate discovery across the natural sciences. Applications are open at several hosts, with deadlines staggered (e.g. Oxford closes 16 Oct 2026).
Who it's really for. Recent PhDs in a natural science (physics, chemistry, biology, earth and environmental science, and adjacent fields) who want to apply AI and machine learning methods to accelerate discovery in their domain. The program is deliberately not for ML researchers looking for a scientific application; the host departments want scientists who will become fluent in AI, with training built in. Applicants from any country are considered, though each host university sets its own visa and eligibility rules.
What you get. A funded postdoctoral position at one of the participating universities (Oxford, UC San Diego, Toronto and Imperial College London are among the hosts), with a stipend and benefits set locally, plus structured AI training, a cross-institution cohort and access to the wider Schmidt Sciences network. Positions typically run two years.
How to apply and what to watch. Each university runs its own call with its own deadline, so treat this as several fellowships sharing a brand. As of our last check, Oxford closes on 16 October 2026 and UC San Diego's window for the 2027 cohort runs 1 September to 5 October 2026; other hosts differ, so go directly to the host page you are targeting. Other research fellowships and apprenticeships are on the fellowships page.
- Deadline: Staggered per host — e.g. Oxford closes Oct 16, 2026
- Amount / value: Stipend set per host
- Geography: Global
- Focus: Cross-cutting
- Eligibility: Postdocs applying AI/ML to a natural science
- Last verified: Aug 22, 2026
Always confirm details and deadlines at the official source before applying. Hand-verified by ImpactOpen.