Faculty Fellows - Nigeria Expansion Program
Schmidt Faculty Fellows
The AI in Science Faculty Fellow Program at the University of Chicago is seeking faculty in the natural sciences or engineering in Nigeria who seek to advance and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the natural sciences and engineering. The rise of AI in science and engineering presents both a remarkable opportunity and a profound challenge to human-centered modes of inquiry, including not only data analysis but also the design of experiments, the formulation of new hypotheses, and the revelation of natural laws. Given the cross-disciplinary nature of AI research in science, Fellows will be offered freedom and independence in pursuing their AI-related research, including the flexibility to change or expand their research focus and to work with multiple research groups while at the University.
Fellows will have the opportunity to pursue original research on significant questions in AI and science. Fellows will receive the training in AI methods necessary for conducting their research. They form a cohort of top scholars across the natural sciences engaging in joint training and research activities. Drawing on the University’s top-ranked programs, world-renowned faculty, and vibrant data science ecosystem, this program allows faculty fellows to engage in field-defining research.
This unique program is part of an active and growing AI and science community that includes departments across the UChicago campus as well as Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the NSF-Simons National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology, and the NSF-Simons AI Institute for the Sky.
Virtual info session recording available here.
Program Details
Selected fellows will spend six months at the University of Chicago for training and to collaborate with faculty mentors on joint research projects. Fellows should identify a potential faculty mentor, contact them, discuss potential research directions, and have them provide a letter expressing their willingness to serve as a mentor.
Prior experience with AI is not required, however, the ideal candidates will have a clear research proposal that includes what they hope to gain by using AI (specifically, what data they will use, size of data set, where will they access data), and which specific new skills the candidate hopes to acquire.
This program will provide an allowance for travel, housing, and living expenses while in Chicago. Additional support may be available upon request for fellows facing challenges with family care.
Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2025. Finalists will be invited to a virtual interview in February 2026.
Qualifications
Fellows must hold a doctoral degree in the natural sciences, engineering, or a related field, earned no earlier than 2014. They must be a faculty member at an accredited Nigerian University and have one of the following positions: Lecturer I, Senior Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Reader at the time of application. Finally, Fellows should have experience advising PhD students. Fellows must be able to get a visa to participate in this program.
Application Instructions
Application review for these positions will begin on December 1, 2025. Applications must be submitted online through this link.
The following materials are required:
- Cover letter indicating the candidate’s potential mentor(s) at the University, Argonne National Laboratory, or Fermilab, and briefly describing the candidate’s area of research.
- A 2-3 page (excluding references) research statement describing the candidate’s research contributions, highlighting: the significance and potential impact of their past and planned research contributions in the natural sciences and engineering, a proposal for exploring AI’s potential role in their research, evidence of the candidate’s preparedness for our training program, and evidence of independence and engagement in activities (e.g., research, seminars, coursework) that span traditional disciplinary boundaries.
- Candidate’s CV, including a list of publications and other research artifacts (e.g., publicly available software).
- Three confidential letters of recommendation.
- An additional, brief letter from the prospective mentor agreeing to mentor the applicant if they are selected and confirming they have discussed the potential research project.
- A letter from the candidate’s department chair expressing support for the candidate participating in this program if they are selected.
Contact:
For questions about this application, please contact schmidtaiscience@uchicago.edu.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do you need a doctoral degree to qualify? Yes
Can you be from Nigeria and working at a non-Nigerian university? No
Do you need to contact faculty mentors before applying? Yes, Fellows should identify a potential faculty mentor, contact them, discuss potential research directions, and have them provide a letter expressing their willingness to serve as a mentor.
My letter writer has not received a link to upload a confidential letter. How can they upload a letter? You can ask your letter writers to submit confidential letters to schmidtaiscience@uchicago.edu
If an applicant is promoted to the rank of Full Professor after applying, are they ineligible to participate? No. Applicants must have one of the following positions: Lecturer I, Senior Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Reader at the time of application.