Stanford University is accepting applications for the 2027–2029 GLAM Postdoctoral Fellowships, offering a two-year research appointment with an initial annual salary of $80,000, employee benefits, and an additional $5,000 per year for research or travel expenses. The fellowship is offered by the Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials (GLAM) in California, USA, and welcomes international researchers working in theoretical, experimental, and interdisciplinary materials research.
Applicants must have no more than 2.5 years of postdoctoral experience and must complete their PhD before starting the fellowship. A GLAM faculty member must also agree to nominate each candidate. The application deadline is November 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST. All recommendation letters, including the faculty host nomination, must be submitted by this deadline.
Stanford GLAM Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027–2029: Quick Overview
| Fellowship details | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship name | GLAM Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027–2029 |
| Host institution | Stanford University |
| Research laboratory | Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials (GLAM) |
| Country | United States |
| Position | Postdoctoral Research Fellow |
| Initial annual salary | $80,000 |
| Research/travel allowance | $5,000 per year |
| Additional benefits | Employee benefits |
| Fellowship duration | 2 years |
| Eligible applicants | Qualified researchers worldwide |
| Maximum postdoctoral experience | 2.5 years |
| PhD requirement | Must complete PhD before starting |
| Expected start date | June–December 2027 |
| Application deadline | November 30, 2026, 11:59 PM PST |
| Application method | Online via SlideRoom |
What Is the Stanford GLAM Postdoctoral Fellowship?
The GLAM Postdoctoral Fellowship supports scientists who can develop original research while collaborating with faculty and research groups at Stanford University.
GLAM brings together researchers working across materials-related disciplines. The fellowship welcomes both theoretical and experimental scientists, including candidates whose proposed work connects different research fields.
An important feature of this programme is its emphasis on collaboration. Applicants are expected to develop a research proposal with a Stanford GLAM faculty member before submitting their application.
Researchers can also propose projects involving multiple faculty members, including collaborations with other Stanford departments or laboratories.
Unlike postdoctoral positions tied to a narrowly defined project, this fellowship asks candidates to propose their own research direction in consultation with a faculty host. Applicants therefore need to explain what they want to investigate and why Stanford’s research environment is suitable for that work.
Research Areas at Stanford GLAM
Stanford’s Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials brings together researchers working across several areas of materials science.
Its main research themes include:
- Fundamentals of Quantum Materials: Research into quantum materials and their underlying physical properties.
- Functional Magnetic, Optical and Electronic Materials: Studies of materials with magnetic, optical, and electronic functionality.
- Materials for Energy and Sustainability: Materials research connected to energy technologies and sustainability.
- Soft, Adaptable and Bio-inspired Materials: Research involving soft materials, adaptable systems, and materials inspired by biological processes.
Both theoretical and experimental researchers may apply. Applicants should review the work of potential faculty hosts and identify how their proposed project connects with ongoing GLAM research.
Explore the official Stanford GLAM research areas before approaching a faculty member.
Funding and Benefits: How Much Does the Stanford GLAM Fellowship Pay?
Selected fellows receive the following support:
| Funding component | Amount or benefit |
|---|---|
| Initial annual salary | $80,000 |
| Initial salary over two years | $160,000 |
| Annual research/travel funds | $5,000 |
| Research/travel funds over two years | $10,000 |
| Employee benefits | Included |
| Fellowship period | 24 months |
Based on the announced initial salary, the two-year salary totals $160,000, while discretionary research and travel funding adds another $10,000.
This represents $170,000 in combined initial salary and research/travel allocations over two years, excluding the value of employee benefits. The $10,000 research/travel allocation is not personal salary.
Stanford specifies an initial annual salary rather than a guaranteed fixed salary for both years.
The fellowship itself cannot be extended beyond two years. However, continued employment may be negotiated with the faculty host, provided that the host can fund the additional appointment.
Researchers comparing postdoctoral opportunities in the United States can also review our Harvard Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 guide, which covers several research-focused programmes and their individual funding arrangements and application schedules.
Who Can Apply for the Stanford GLAM Postdoctoral Fellowships?
Stanford welcomes applications from qualified researchers regardless of nationality.
The main eligibility conditions are:
- PhD qualification: Applicants must have completed their doctoral degree before their fellowship begins. Current PhD candidates may apply if they expect to graduate before the start date.
- Postdoctoral experience: Candidates must have no more than 2.5 years of postdoctoral experience.
- Faculty host: Every applicant must identify at least one GLAM faculty member who agrees to support and nominate the application.
- Research background: Applicants should demonstrate strong research ability and the potential to conduct creative, original research.
- Research approach: Both theoretical and experimental research proposals are welcome.
Current Stanford students and postdoctoral researchers are also eligible to apply.
If you have not yet started doctoral studies, the GLAM Fellowship is not the appropriate entry point. You may instead explore the fully funded ISTA PhD Program 2027 in Austria, which accepts eligible bachelor’s and master’s degree holders for doctoral research in science and related fields.
Can international researchers apply?
Yes. Stanford explicitly confirms that the competition is open to qualified international applicants.
If a fellowship is offered to a non-US citizen, the faculty host assumes responsibility for arranging the necessary visa process.
This makes the opportunity accessible to researchers outside the United States, although applicants should discuss practical relocation and visa arrangements with their prospective host if selected.
Can applicants with multiple research interests apply?
Yes. Stanford encourages interdisciplinary research and permits applicants to work with more than one faculty mentor.
The primary host must belong to GLAM, but a secondary collaborator may be based in another Stanford department or independent laboratory.
When two faculty mentors are formally identified, both must provide supporting statements.
Required Documents for the Stanford GLAM Fellowship Application
Applicants must submit their materials through Stanford’s online SlideRoom application system.
| Required document or information | Details |
|---|---|
| Personal and academic information | Name, current position, institution and bachelor’s degree details |
| PhD information | Thesis title, institution, department, supervisor and graduation date, if applicable |
| Curriculum vitae | Updated academic CV, including publication list |
| Research statement | Maximum two pages |
| Proposed faculty host | Name and email address of GLAM faculty mentor |
| Faculty nomination | Letter submitted by the proposed GLAM host |
| References | Names, institutions and email addresses of two referees |
| Recommendation letters | Two letters submitted directly by referees |
| Recent publication | Optional copy or preprint of a relevant publication |
The research statement must be submitted as a PDF and should use a font size of at least 11 points.
Applicants may include figures and references within the two-page limit.
The statement should explain future research goals, although previous achievements can be included when they help establish the motivation or feasibility of the proposed work.
A strong research statement should explain the scientific question, proposed methods, and expected contribution within Stanford’s two-page limit. For help developing these elements, read our guide to writing a PhD research proposal with examples. The examples can help you organize your ideas, but your final statement must follow GLAM’s specific instructions.
Careers Help Desk Counter Angle: Your Faculty Host Is Central to the Application
One of the most important details applicants should understand is that identifying a faculty member is not enough.
Stanford requires the proposed host to formally nominate the candidate and provide a statement explaining the applicant’s strengths and the proposed research.
This creates a significant difference between the GLAM Fellowship and postdoctoral opportunities where applicants simply submit a CV and research proposal to a selection committee.
A strong publication record alone cannot replace the faculty nomination requirement.
How should applicants approach a potential GLAM host?
Start by reviewing GLAM’s research areas and identifying faculty whose work connects directly with your proposed project.
Before contacting a professor, prepare a concise explanation of your research idea. Your message should establish why your previous experience is relevant, what you propose to investigate and how the work could connect with the professor’s research.
Rather than sending a general request for a postdoctoral position, ask whether the faculty member would be interested in discussing a potential GLAM Fellowship proposal.
Your first email should briefly explain your research background, proposed project, and why the professor’s work is relevant. If you are unsure how to approach a potential faculty mentor, see our guide on how to email a professor for research opportunities, including sample emails and follow-up advice.
Why does this matter?
The GLAM selection process evaluates candidates using their submitted application materials. Stanford confirms that there is no interview.
Consequently, your research statement, publication record, reference letters and faculty nomination must collectively explain your research potential.
Applicants should give particular attention to how their proposed project fits the host’s expertise while demonstrating their own intellectual contribution.
This is especially important for interdisciplinary proposals. A project involving several research groups should still have a clear central research question and a realistic scope for a two-year fellowship.
A research statement is different from a traditional statement of purpose. While both may discuss your academic background and interests, the GLAM statement should focus on your proposed research and possible collaborations. Our statement of purpose writing guide explains these differences and provides examples of presenting academic motivation clearly.
How to Apply for the Stanford GLAM Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027
The application is completed online through Stanford’s official SlideRoom portal.
Step 1: Identify a potential GLAM faculty host. Review the laboratory’s research activities and contact a suitable faculty member to discuss your proposed research.
Stanford Faculty List at Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials (GLAM)
Step 2: Develop your research statement. Prepare a maximum two-page PDF describing your future research goals and potential collaborations within GLAM.
Step 3: Prepare your academic CV. Include your educational background, research experience and complete publication list.
Step 4: Arrange two recommendation letters. Contact referees who can evaluate your previous research and potential for future scientific work.
Step 5: Coordinate the faculty nomination. Confirm that your GLAM host will submit the required supporting letter.
Step 6: Complete the online application. Enter the requested information and upload the necessary documents through SlideRoom.
Apply through the official Stanford GLAM Application portal
Check all submissions before the deadline. Ensure that your host’s nomination and both referee letters have been received.
Stanford does not accept applications after the deadline, including applications missing required letters.
Application Deadline and Selection Timeline
| Stage | Official schedule |
|---|---|
| Applications open | September 14, 2026 |
| Application deadline | November 30, 2026, 11:59 PM PST |
| Application review | December 2026–January 2027 |
| Fellowship offers | Early spring 2027 |
| Expected appointment start | June–December 2027 |
The November 30 deadline applies to the complete application, not merely the applicant’s own documents.
For international applicants, the deadline corresponds to December 1, 2026, at 4:59 PM Japan Standard Time (JST) and 12:59 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PKT).
Stanford allows some flexibility in the starting date, but the fellowship cannot be deferred by an entire academic year. Applicants expecting to begin only in the 2028 academic year should not apply for this intake.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
The following issues deserve particular attention:
- Contacting faculty too late: A potential host needs sufficient time to discuss the research and prepare a nomination.
- Submitting a generic research statement: The proposal should clearly identify research goals and possible collaborations within GLAM.
- Exceeding the statement limit: Stanford permits no more than two pages and requires a readable font of at least 11 points.
- Assuming reference letters can arrive later: All required letters must be submitted before the deadline.
- Misunderstanding the experience restriction: The fellowship is limited to candidates with no more than 2.5 years of postdoctoral experience.
- Assuming an interview will provide another chance to explain the proposal: Stanford confirms that selection is based on submitted materials without interviews.
Applicants preparing other academic applications may also find the Careers Help Desk guide on writing a statement of purpose for master’s and PhD applications useful for presenting research motivation clearly. However, the GLAM research statement must follow Stanford’s specific requirements rather than a standard statement-of-purpose format.
Ready to Apply for Stanford US Fellowships
The Stanford University GLAM Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027–2029 offer a two-year research appointment with an initial salary of $80,000 per year, employee benefits and dedicated research/travel funding. Applicants should prioritize identifying a suitable GLAM faculty host and developing a research proposal before the November 30, 2026, 11:59 PM PST deadline.
Official resources:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Stanford GLAM Postdoctoral Fellowship open to international applicants?
Yes. Qualified researchers from all countries can apply. For selected non-US citizens, the faculty host assumes responsibility for the necessary visa arrangements.
2. What is the salary for the 2027–2029 GLAM Postdoctoral Fellowship?
The initial annual salary is $80,000, with employee benefits and an additional $5,000 per year for research or travel expenses.
3. Can I apply before completing my PhD?
Yes. Applicants do not need to have graduated when applying, but they must complete their PhD before starting the fellowship.
4. Is a Stanford faculty host mandatory?
Yes. Applicants must identify a GLAM faculty member who will formally nominate them. Additional faculty collaborations are permitted.
5. Does Stanford conduct interviews for the GLAM Fellowship?
No. Stanford evaluates applicants based on their submitted materials, including the research statement, CV, recommendation letters and faculty nomination.
6. Can the fellowship be extended beyond two years?
The GLAM Fellowship itself lasts two years and cannot be extended. However, an additional postdoctoral appointment may be negotiated with the faculty host if funding is available.
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