Van Bibber Fellowship FAQ
* Do I need to identify a faculty mentor?
Yes. The Fellowship will provide support for a postdoctoral position within the group of a faculty member in the Stanford Physics department. The potential faculty host that you identify may be asked to review your application as part of the evaluation process. It is recommended that you reach out to the faculty mentor to discuss your research proposal.
* Can I have more than one faculty mentor?
Not typically. Except in unusual circumstances, the fellowship position will be for work with a single faculty member. If you think it makes sense to identify two hosts then you must be sure to discuss this plan with both faculty members first.
* Can I have a faculty mentor outside the Physics department?
No, the faculty host must be a member of the Physics department.
* Are international candidates able to apply?
Yes, the competition is open to all qualified candidates. If the position is offered to a non-US citizen, the fellowship will be contingent on the candidate obtaining a valid US visa.
* Do I have to apply online?
Yes.
* Are there any restrictions?
Yes. Candidates must have no more than two and a half years of postdoc experience. Also, candidates must have received their PhD by the time they start the position. Current Stanford postdocs and graduate students are ineligible to apply.
* Do I have to have completed my PhD to apply?
No. But you must have graduated by your start date.
* Are candidates able to apply for theory positions?
No. This fellowship is for experimental candidates only.
* Are there any restrictions on which fields of research are allowed?
Candidates should be experimentalists with a focus on developing instrumentation and techniques relevant to investigating fundamental fields and interactions. Examples of relevant disciplines include AMO and experimental particle physics. However, there is no strict requirement on the candidate's or the host group's subfield of experimental physics.
* When is the start date?
Appointments are expected to begin in the window between June and December, 2025.
* Is there any flexibility in the start date?
To some extent. If your anticipated start date differs from the nominal window, please indicate an anticipated start date in your application.
* If I receive an offer for a Van Bibber Fellowship, can it be deferred by a year?
No. Although there is some flexibility in the start date, we cannot defer the start date until the next academic year. If you don’t anticipate starting a position until the 2025-26 academic year, please wait to apply next year.
* Will applications be considered after the November 1st 12:00 noon PST deadline?
Full consideration will be given to applicants who apply by the stated deadline. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that all components of their application are received before the deadline, including the three letters of reference.
* Can I provide more than three letters of reference?
No. Each candidate should arrange for letters of recommendation from three people who are able to comment on their previous research and on their potential for performing creative research in the future.
* Are there any restrictions affecting the Research Statement?
The research statement is submitted as a pdf file, and must be no more than two pages in length. Please use a sensible font size, no less than 11 point. The research statement can include figures if this is helpful, but this is not necessary. It should address your research plan at Stanford and your previous research accomplishments, as well as the expertise and skills that you bring to the Stanford community.
* Can students or postdocs currently at Stanford apply?
Current Stanford graduate students and postdocs are not eligible to apply.
* Who should I contact for more information?
For administrative questions, including any difficulties with the online submission, please contact antnguyn [at] stanford.edu (antnguyn[at]stanford[dot]edu). All questions regarding the proposed research program should be directed to the proposed faculty mentor.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.