Explore Careers in Science
Join a Culture of Collaboration
At Carnegie Science, we believe a collaborative and collegiate approach to research is essential to scientific excellence. Across divisions and at every level, we are unified by our mission to advance investigation, research, and discovery and apply that knowledge to improve humankind.
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Postdoctoral fellows at Carnegie Science experience an extraordinary amount of independence, flexibility, and mentorship—giving our early career researchers a leg up as they find their academic footing and flourish.
Internships
Our summer internship programs give undergraduate students a chance to experience life in the lab! These paid programs provide hands-on experience, scientific mentorship, and professional development workshops that prepare students for graduate-level work.
Other Scientific Fellowships
In addition to internships and postdoctoral opportunities, each Carnegie Science division also offers its own fellowship programs designed to support researchers at various career stages. These include senior fellowships, short- and long-term visiting researcher appointments, and graduate-level programs such as predoctoral research fellowships.
Biosphere Science & Engineering
Carnegie Science’s newest division, Biosphere Sciences & Engineering (BSE), is redefining how we study life on Earth by breaking down disciplinary silos and uniting biologists, ecologists, engineers, and Earth scientists under one shared mission: to understand and sustain the living world. Spanning three locations, BSE fosters a deeply collaborative community where ideas grow quickly and researchers work together to tackle humanity’s most urgent environmental challenges.
Earth & Planets Laboratory
Drawing on more than a century of discovery, the Carnegie Science Earth & Planets Laboratory (EPL) brings together researchers who uncover exoplanets, create new materials, illuminate Earth’s interior, and deepen our understanding of the universe we call home. From inspiring seminars to friendly soccer games, EPL is more than a place to work—it's a welcoming, intellectually rich community.
Employees have access to extensive resources, including world-class instrumentation, computing clusters, the EPL research library and archives, laboratory support, and a wide range of campus amenities.
Observatories
From uncovering the expansion of the universe to the discovery of dark energy, Carnegie Science Observatories (OBS) researchers have shaped our understanding of the cosmos for over a century. Today, groundbreaking work continues at our world-renowned Las Campanas Observatory in Chile and our Southern California campus.
OBS employees and observers have access to powerful astronomical instrumentation, state-of-the-art telescope facilities, data and computing resources, technical support teams, and vibrant scientific spaces that encourage conversation and discovery.
Benefits and Programs
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental for employees, spouses / domestic partners, and dependent children.
- Medical benefits include coverage for infertility treatments.
- Vision benefits include coverage for routine eye exams with allowances for lenses, frames or contact lenses.
- Health Savings Account (HSA): Employer contribution to a health savings account for employees enrolled in the high-deductible medical plan.
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Tax-advantaged accounts to pay for eligible health care (medical, dental, vision) expenses.
- Telemedicine: Access to medical, behavioral health, and nutrition providers through virtual visits.
- Retiree Health Plan: Medical coverage for eligible retirees. Includes employee assistance program (EAP) coverage and access to Health Advocate services.
We are proud to be designated by the U.S. Department of State as an Exchange Visitor Program sponsor, allowing us to host international researchers under J-1 Visa status. Whether you are a prospective exchange visitor or already part of the Carnegie community, we are here to support your journey.
The purpose of the J-1 Visa is to increase mutual understanding between people of the U.S. and people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges, thereby strengthening the ties between the nations. Every year, Carnegie sponsors exchange visitors to conduct research.
At the time of appointment, the exchange visitor is expected to return home upon completion of the activity.
Exchange visitor categories available to international appointees at Carnegie are:
- Short-Term Scholar: J-1 Visa Short-Term Scholars come to the U.S. on a short-term visit (six (6) months or less) for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills.
- Research Scholars: J-1 Visa Research Scholars come to the U.S. to primarily conduct research in connection with a research project.
- Specialist: The Specialist category is for experts in a field of specialized knowledge or skills, who visit the United States for purposes of observing, consulting, or demonstrating their special skills. The maximum duration of stay is one year.
As a non-U.S. citizen, you will need a Visa to enter the U.S. The J-1 exchange visitor Visa allows eligible participants to come to the U.S. for a temporary stay, if participating in the J-1 Visa program.
Explore the resources and guidance provided to ensure a successful experience as a J-1 exchange visitor at Carnegie Science.
Learn more- Institution-paid retirement contribution between 10% and 20% of an employee’s salary (up to the IRS maximum) to a 401(a) account for eligible employees.
- Eligible employees can also contribute to a 403(b) voluntary savings retirement account (up to the IRS maximum).
- Institution-paid life insurance equal to one-times an employee's annual salary and options to select supplemental life insurance up to $500,000.00.
- Our partner, GreenSpring Advisors, provides resources to help employees create a roadmap to achieve financial goals, with on-demand access to a team of Certified Financial Planners and online resources, including access to 200+ videos, webinars, and articles.
Carnegie has developed several mechanisms for recognizing ingenuity and creativity with the distribution of small grants. These funds are designated for various special purposes, including high-risk, interdisciplinary research ideas, postdoctoral collaborations, postdoc travel, and DEI efforts.
Learn more
From genomes to ecosystems and from planets to the cosmos, Carnegie Science is an incubator for cutting-edge research across disciplines.
Discover Carnegie's cutting-edge research facilities and scientific instrumentation—including the telescopes at Las Campanas Observatory.
Meet the people who make up our thriving scientific community, united by a shared drive for discovery.
![Vera Rubin at Lowell Observatory, 69-inch [i.e., 72-inch] Telescope (Kent Ford in white helmet)](/sites/default/files/styles/square_large/public/2024-09/DTM_VR-B-011_19650000.jpg.webp?itok=bm_H3DFx)
Be a part of a legacy grounded in more than 100 years of innovation and discovery.
We believe that fostering a collaborative and collegiate approach to research is essential to scientific excellence.
Resources for Biosphere Sciences & Engineering staff, including computing and instrumentation.
Resources for Earth & Planets Laboratory employees, including internal links, instrumentation, library, and computing needs.
Resources for Carnegie Science Observatories staff and for observers using the facilities at Las Campanas Observatory.