Carnegie Theoretical Astrophysics Center (CTAC) Fellowship
Carnegie Theoretical Astrophysics Center (CTAC) Fellowship supports fellows’ independent theoretical astrophysics research to complement Carnegie’s scientific activities and foster collaboration with observers.
Funder: Carnegie Science
Due Dates: October 30, 2026 (Application and recommendation letters)
Funding Amounts: $87,500 salary; two-year fellowship with possible third-year renewal; travel, computing, and publication support
Summary: Supports independent theoretical astrophysics research that complements Carnegie’s theoretical and observational activities.
Key Information: Applicants must complete all Ph.D. requirements before beginning the fellowship.
Description
The Carnegie Theoretical Astrophysics Center (CTAC) Fellowship at Carnegie Science Observatories supports long-term research in theoretical astrophysics. Fellows pursue independent research topics of their choice that complement and enhance Carnegie’s theoretical and observational activities. Collaboration with observational colleagues is a key goal of the fellowship.
Research priorities include star, galaxy, and black hole formation and evolution; Milky Way dynamics and dark matter; explosive transient events; exoplanet formation and dynamics; and cosmology. Based at Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, California, fellows have access to computational resources and observing facilities that support interaction among theorists, observers, and instrumentalists. The fellowship beginning in fall 2027 is awarded for two years, with possible renewal for a third year.
