Kessler Foundation

The Wu Tsai Postdoctoral Fellowships program

supports early-career researchers from a range of disciplines in their pursuit of interdisciplinary research that drives discoveries about the mind through the integrated study of the brain. Wu Tsai Postdoctoral Fellows work across traditional disciplinary boundaries using experimental, computational, or theoretical methods to investigate human cognition and explore human potential. All admitted Fellows benefit from structured programming, shared research facilities, internal research funding sources and opportunities, and other resources offered by the Institute, to advance their scientific training and professional development.

Wu Tsai Postdoctoral Fellows design innovative projects that expand their expertise, supported by mentorship tailored to their interdisciplinary goals. Successful applicants have demonstrated an interdisciplinary training plan through various approaches, including (but not limited to):

• Co-mentoring across disciplines: Develop a co-mentoring team of two or more Wu Tsai Faculty Mentors from different disciplines, one of which may overlap with the applicant's PhD field.


• Transitioning to a new field: Work with a single Wu Tsai Faculty Mentor whose research area differs substantially from the applicant's PhD (incremental transitions will not be considered).


• Open-ended computational/theoretical projects: Collaborate flexibly with multiple research groups to investigate human cognition through computational theory, analysis, and modeling of neuroscience data and concepts.

Proposals focused on disease mechanisms or that do not contribute to our understanding of non-disease states are not suitable for this call.

Candidates are encouraged to reach out to any of the over 220 Wu Tsai Faculty Members before applying. Because faculty receive many such inquiries, the most successful outreach is sincere and specific, clearly indicating that the applicant has conducted their own advance research into potential areas of mutual interest related to the Institute's mission. Faculty who are currently mentoring other Wu Tsai Postdoctoral Fellows are unable to serve as mentors to new applicants.

Benefits

• $80,000 annual salary, for up to three years


• Benefits as defined by Yale's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (Postdoctoral Associate category)


• $2,000 in discretionary funds with opportunity to apply for additional internal funds


• Access to shared research facilities and high-performance computing


• Protected time and programmatic opportunities for professional development, skill development, and networking with a supportive cohort of peers


• Robust mentoring program to support career development, featuring mentoring committees, compacts, and training

Expectations

• Begin appointment on or before September 1, 2026


• Agree to the Institute's Code of Conduct


• Participate in WTI activities and devote effort toward professional development, service, and community-building (up to 10% of effort)


• Submit an annual progress report


• Follow all guidelines and requirements for postdocs at Yale

PhD degree or equivalent must be awarded by the beginning of the fellowship and within the last 3 years.

The fellowship is open to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens.

Because this fellowship is intended to build the number of researchers working in these areas at Yale, current members of the Yale community (including postdocs and PhD students) are not eligible to apply.

Fellows are selected by a faculty committee based on their interdisciplinary scientific goals and track record of scientific achievements, commitment to making a positive social impact, and ability to make meaningful contributions to the community.