Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence 2027 | $160,000 Salary | AI Research Fellowship in New York
Table of Contents
Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt. The organization works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs by supporting promising research and advanced tools that can contribute to a thriving planet.
Schmidt Sciences supports research across several high-impact areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space. Through its science systems program, the organization also supports researchers working across different disciplines.
The Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence opportunity is designed for recent PhD graduates and early-career researchers working in AI and computer science who want to combine independent research with work supporting AI research grantmaking.
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Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence 2027 – Overview
The Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence 2027 is a 12–18 month research fellowship based in New York City, United States. The initial appointment may be extended up to a cumulative period of 24 months, depending on project needs and mutual agreement.
Up to three fellows are expected to be hired for the 2027 cohort.
The fellowship allows early-career AI researchers to divide their time approximately equally between:
- Independent AI research
- AI research grantmaking activities
- Reviewing and assessing research proposals
- Supporting expert reviewer selection
- Organizing workshops and research-community activities
- Engaging with researchers and Schmidt Sciences grantees
- Representing Schmidt Sciences at selected external conferences
The position offers a $160,000 annual salary and provides dedicated resources to support fellows’ research activities.
Key Details
- Opportunity: Fellow in Residence
- Organization: Schmidt Sciences
- Field: Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science
- Location: New York City, USA
- Work arrangement: On-site
- Duration: 12–18 months initially
- Possible extension: Up to 24 months cumulatively
- Expected start: 2027
- Salary: $160,000 per year
- Positions: Up to 3 fellows
- Application review begins: December 15, 2026
Who Is the Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence Fellowship For?
The Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence is intended primarily for recent PhD graduates and early-career AI researchers with strong academic backgrounds in artificial intelligence, computer science, or closely related research areas.
Applicants should have a demonstrated research record and be able to propose meaningful independent research that aligns with the priorities of the AI & Advanced Computing Institute.
The fellowship may be particularly relevant to researchers whose work focuses on:
Trustworthy AI and Alignment
Researchers working on methods, systems, or frameworks related to trustworthy artificial intelligence and AI alignment may be considered.
AI Interpretability
The program is interested in researchers investigating how AI systems work, how their behavior can be understood, and approaches to improving interpretability.
Multi-Agent Systems
Researchers specializing in systems involving multiple interacting AI agents may also be relevant to the fellowship’s research priorities.
AI for Scientific Discovery
The fellowship welcomes expertise involving the use of artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific research and discovery.
AI, Labor Markets and Knowledge Production
Applicants researching AI’s effects on labor markets, knowledge production, or metascience may also fit the areas identified for the 2027 cohort.
Salary and Fellowship Benefits
The Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence salary is $160,000 per year.
In addition to the salary, fellows receive access to resources intended to support independent research and broader research-community activities.
$50,000 in Compute Credits
Each fellow can receive access to $50,000 in compute credits over the course of the fellowship for independent research, subject to Director approval.
$50,000 for Research Events
Fellows can also receive access to $50,000 in funding for workshops, colloquia, and similar events that support researchers in their area of expertise, subject to Director approval.
Travel Funding
Travel funds are available to support collaboration with other researchers on research projects.
Research Community Access
Fellows will have opportunities to meet Schmidt Sciences grantees in the AI ecosystem, providing exposure to researchers and projects supported by the organization.
Academic Affiliations
Fellows may maintain unpaid external academic appointments where permitted and where the arrangement does not conflict with applicable institutional policies.
Required Qualifications Explained
The source information emphasizes academic accomplishments, publications, research relevance, and the quality of proposed research rather than providing a conventional checklist of degree requirements.
Candidates should therefore be prepared to demonstrate a strong research profile.
PhD and Research Background
The fellowship is designed for recent PhD graduates in AI and computer science and early-career AI researchers.
Academic Accomplishments
Selection will consider applicants’ academic accomplishments and publications.
A strong application should clearly communicate the researcher’s contribution to their field and explain how their previous work connects with the AI Institute’s priorities.
Relevant Research
The applicant’s academic research should be relevant to the areas supported by the AI & Advanced Computing Institute.
Proposed Research Project
Applicants will be evaluated on the relevance and quality of their proposed independent research projects.
This makes the research proposal an important component of the application.
AI Fluency and Modern AI Tools
An important aspect of the Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence selection criteria is AI fluency in everyday professional workflows.
Applicants are expected to be comfortable using AI products and tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, or similar technologies to improve the efficiency and quality of their work.
Candidates should also demonstrate a genuine interest in following how AI tools and capabilities evolve.
This means applicants should be prepared to explain not only their academic AI expertise but also how they practically engage with current AI technologies.
How the Independent Research Component Works
Approximately half of a fellow’s time will be dedicated to independent research.
Fellows will have flexibility to pursue specific research projects within their area of expertise while contributing to the broader mission of Schmidt Sciences.
Independent research is expected to align with the fellow’s expertise.
Fellows may maintain unpaid external academic affiliations, provided these arrangements comply with relevant policies, including conflict-of-interest requirements.
The source notes that previous fellows have maintained affiliations with institutions including Stanford, MIT, and Johns Hopkins University.
Publications produced during the fellowship will list the fellow’s Schmidt Sciences affiliation and will require a lightweight legal review by Schmidt Sciences staff.
Grantmaking Activities
The other approximately 50% of the Schmidt Sciences fellowship will involve supporting grantmaking activities for the AI Institute.
This gives fellows an opportunity to participate in decisions and processes surrounding philanthropic support for AI research.
Responsibilities may include:
- Reading and assessing AI research proposals
- Evaluating proposals in areas such as AI safety, AI and science, and AI and economics
- Matching proposals with appropriate expert reviewers
- Recruiting external reviewers
- Supporting grantmaking decisions
- Organizing workshops
- Helping develop research communities in specific AI focus areas
- Supporting smaller research grants
- Attending gatherings organized for grantees
- Representing Schmidt Sciences at external conferences
The role therefore combines independent AI research with strategic research grantmaking.
How Competitive Is the Schmidt Sciences Fellowship?
The opportunity is likely to attract researchers with strong academic and publication records because the selection process specifically considers academic accomplishments, publications, research relevance, and proposed research quality.
However, the source does not provide an acceptance rate or other statistic that would allow the competitiveness of the fellowship to be quantified.
Applicants should therefore focus on clearly demonstrating the connection between their research background, proposed project, and the AI Institute’s research priorities.
How to Prepare Your CV for the Schmidt Sciences Fellowship
A strong CV for the Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence application should make the applicant’s AI research background easy to understand.
Consider clearly presenting:
1. Academic Background
List your PhD, institution, research area, and relevant academic qualifications.
2. Research Experience
Highlight research projects that demonstrate expertise in AI, computer science, or one of the fellowship’s identified focus areas.
3. Publications
Clearly list relevant publications and explain your contribution where appropriate.
4. Research Specialization
Make your expertise immediately visible, particularly if your work involves trustworthy AI, AI interpretability, multi-agent systems, AI for science, labor markets, knowledge production, or metascience.
5. AI Tools and Technical Experience
Where relevant, demonstrate practical experience with modern AI tools and workflows.
6. Proposed Research Direction
Your CV and supporting application materials should make it easy for reviewers to understand the research direction you want to pursue during the fellowship.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants interested in the Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence 2027 should avoid presenting a generic research application.
Common weaknesses can include:
- Failing to connect previous research with the AI Institute’s priorities
- Providing an unclear research direction
- Not explaining the significance of proposed research
- Treating publications as a simple list without demonstrating their relevance
- Ignoring practical AI fluency
- Providing insufficient detail about the proposed independent research
- Submitting an application without considering the fellowship’s grantmaking responsibilities
The fellowship is not solely an independent research position. Applicants should understand that approximately half of the role involves supporting AI research grantmaking.
Career Paths After the Fellowship
The Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence can provide experience across both research and philanthropic grantmaking.
Depending on an individual’s academic and professional goals, experience gained during the fellowship could contribute to future work involving:
- AI research
- Computer science research
- AI safety and alignment
- AI interpretability
- AI for scientific discovery
- Multi-agent systems
- AI policy and research strategy
- Science philanthropy
- Research funding
- Academic research
- Research-community development
- Metascience
The fellowship’s combination of independent research and grantmaking exposure makes it distinct from a conventional academic research appointment.
Location and Work Arrangement
The Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence will be based at the organization’s office in New York City.
The position is listed as on-site.
However, fellows may spend a portion of their time at a university if they maintain an external academic affiliation.
The fellowship will begin in 2027, with flexibility around exact start and end dates to accommodate academic commitments and other needs.
Application Review and Important Date
Applications will begin receiving review on December 15, 2026.
Priority review will be given to applications submitted by December 15, 2026.
Applicants interested in the 2027 cohort should therefore prepare their academic CV, publications, research materials, and proposed research direction before this date.
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Official Application Information
The Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence 2027 is a fixed-term, on-site opportunity in New York City for early-career AI researchers.
Salary: $160,000 per year
Initial duration: 12–18 months
Possible total duration: Up to 24 months
Expected cohort: Up to 3 fellows
Start: 2027
Priority review date: December 15, 2026
Location: New York City, New York, USA
Applicants should review the official vacancy information and application requirements from Schmidt Sciences before submitting an application.
Final Thoughts
The Schmidt Sciences Fellow in Residence 2027 combines independent AI research with direct participation in research grantmaking. Fellows will spend approximately half of their time developing their own research projects and the other half supporting the AI Institute’s funding activities.
The opportunity offers a $160,000 annual salary, research resources including up to $50,000 in compute credits and up to $50,000 for workshops and similar events, as well as travel funding and opportunities to engage with researchers in the AI ecosystem.
For recent PhD graduates and early-career AI researchers whose expertise aligns with trustworthy AI and alignment, AI interpretability, multi-agent systems, AI for scientific discovery, or AI’s impact on labor markets and knowledge production, the 2027 fellowship provides an opportunity to combine research with strategic involvement in AI philanthropy.
