Career Center

The goal of the Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at Purdue Engineering is to attract and prepare outstanding individuals with recently awarded PhD’s for a career in engineering academia through interdisciplinary research, training and professional development.

https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/Research/GilbrethFellowships

The Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellows are selected not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements and proposed innovative interdisciplinary research but also for their potential for broader impact on industry and society. They undertake research with faculty mentors in different fields and participate in professional development activities tailored to their chosen path in academia.

ELIGIBILITY AND BENEFITS

U.S. citizens and permanent residents, who have either completed their PhD on or after Dec. 31, 2020, or are in the final year of their PhD program in engineering or related sciences, can apply.

Non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent residents can apply only if they are currently in the U.S. and have either completed their PhD on or after Dec. 31, 2020, or are in the final year of their PhD program in engineering or related sciences.

Non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent residents currently residing outside of the U.S. can apply if they have either completed their PhD on or after Dec. 31, 2020, or are in the final year of their PhD program in engineering or related sciences; however, their applications will only be considered if they are endorsed by the proposed co-advisors.  

Applicants with PhDs granted on or after Dec. 31, 2019, will also be considered in cases of childbirth or adoption.

U.S. Scholars from underrepresented backgrounds (Black, Native, Latinx, women, LGBTQIA) are encouraged to apply.

Gilbreth Fellows will have two co-advisors. One faculty co-advisor must have a primary appointment in an Engineering school/division. The second must have a primary appointment in a different Engineering school/division or at a non-engineering department at Purdue. An additional third collaborator from within or outside Purdue can also participate in the project. A candidate’s Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellowship co-advisor(s) cannot include their PhD thesis advisor(s).

Applicants can (a) propose their own innovative research proposal and suggest potential Purdue co-advisors, or (b) choose to develop their proposal based on interdisciplinary topics already posted by faculty on the fellowship website.

Gilbreth Fellows are appointed for a two-year term, and receive an annual stipend of $70,000 and benefits. A $5,000 grant is also provided for professional development such as attending conferences or workshops and are mentored for their future academic careers through a variety of programs.

The Gilbreth Fellowship is a full time appointment and the Fellows undertake research with their faculty co-advisors, participate in professional development activities, and are required to prepare and submit short annual reports on their achievements.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

1. Cover letter describing how the Gilbreth Fellowship will help the candidates progress towards their goals in Engineering academia.
2. Curriculum Vitae including list of publications.
3. One-page research statement that includes goals and significance of proposed interdisciplinary work and lists potential Purdue engineering faculty members who can be co-advisors.
4. A one-page essay on their proposed broader impact through education/outreach/engagement.
5. Three letters of recommendation that include detailed assessments of (a) the candidate’s qualifications and (b) potential for success in academia through scholarly research and broader impact through research/education/engagement. Letters from potential Purdue co-advisors will not be accepted.

Applications accepted beginning July 11, 2022. Apply at the Purdue University Internal Competitions and Limited Submissions page (https://purdue.infoready4.com/) by clicking on Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023-24. You may sort by the due date of 11/01/2022 to access it more readily.

Create an account by clicking on the Register button at the bottom of the Log In page. Here you will input your name and email address and click on Create Account. You will be asked to confirm your account via an email notification sent to the email address entered. Use this email address and established password to access the site. Please note that email domains affiliated with institutions, e.g., edu, are required.

If you have questions about the application process, please email us at coeoaa@purdue.edu.

KEY DATES

Deadline for submission of cover letter, curriculum vita, research statement, impact statement and three letters of recommendation: November 1, 2022.

Awardees will be selected based on faculty committee recommendations and approval of co-advisors and school/division heads. Gilbreth Fellowship awardees will be announced by January 2023.

Fellowship start dates must be in 2023.