A New Model for Collaborative, Center-Based Research at Columbia University

The Data Science Institute (DSI) at Columbia University is pleased to announce a new structure for its Postdoctoral Fellows Program, beginning with the upcoming cohort year.

For the first time, DSI postdoctoral fellows will be embedded within two of the Institute’s research centers, forming small, collaborative clusters that bring together scholars from across disciplines to advance data science research and its real-world applications.


About the Program

The DSI Postdoctoral Fellows Program supports exceptional early-career researchers whose work advances the frontiers of data science and its integration into other fields.

  • Full funding, including salary and benefits
  • A housing allocation or subsidy toward market housing
  • Professional development support and access to DSI’s vibrant research community

What’s New This Year

Beginning with the next cohort, the program will:

  • Align fellows with DSI Centers: Fellows will work within one of two DSI Centers, joining a cluster of up to three postdocs per center.
  • Foster deeper collaboration: This cluster-based approach is designed to build community among fellows and strengthen ties to the Institute’s broader network of researchers.
  • Enhance mentorship: Each fellow will have two mentors—one with computational expertise and one grounded in the relevant application domain—to ensure interdisciplinary guidance and impactful research outcomes.

This new model reflects DSI’s commitment to embedding data science within domain research, creating environments where collaboration drives innovation.

Eligibility and Application Timeline

The Call for Applications will open in early November 2025. Applicants will be asked to indicate interest in one or more of the participating DSI Centers. Fellows are expected to hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field by the start of the appointment and demonstrate strong potential for independent, interdisciplinary research.

Why Join DSI

As a DSI Postdoctoral Fellow, you will:

  • Join a world-class community of researchers at the intersection of data science and domain expertise.
  • Receive structured mentorship and career development support.
  • Contribute to the Institute’s mission of advancing data for good across science, policy, and society.

Learn More

Details about the 2026–2028 DSI Postdoctoral Fellows cohort, participating centers, and application procedures will be announced soon.