Provost's Postdoctoral Fellowship in Wireless & Spectrum Research — Notre Dame Wireless Institute ($75K/yr + $15K research allowance)

Launch your research career at the center of wireless and spectrum innovation, with a two-year, $75,000-a-year fellowship.

The University of Notre Dame's Provost's Postdoctoral Fellowship in Engineering supports accomplished early-career scientists and engineers who are committed to research careers. The Notre Dame Wireless Institute invites outstanding recent and soon-to-be PhDs in wireless, RF and spectrum research to apply with us as their host and mentor.

What the fellowship provides

• $75,000 per year stipend for 24 months of institutional support
• $15,000 allowance for independent research, training and professional development
• Individualized professional development support from the College of Engineering's Director of Postdoctoral Studies
• Membership in the College of Engineering Postdoctoral Training program, a cohort-based program for career development and leadership
• Open to scholars of all nationalities

What the Wireless Institute offers a fellow

• Mentorship from Prof. Nick Laneman, Director of the Wireless Institute and of NSF SpectrumX, the national Spectrum Innovation Center headquartered at Notre Dame, or from another Institute faculty member matched to your interests
• Research on spectrum sensing, millimeter-wave systems, interference-limited communications, software-defined radio, drones and radar, and spectrum policy
• Access to more than 5,200 sq ft of lab space, over $7M in equipment, field vehicles, and shared research platforms including RadioHound, SigCap, and Spectrum Sharing testbeds
• Connections to a network of industry and government partners through SpectrumX and our Industry Affiliates Program
• Roots in wireless that go back to 1899

Who should apply

• PhD requirements completed, or to be completed, between June 2025 and September 2027 (earlier dates are accepted if you had parental or FMLA leave within the past two years)
• A clear, ambitious research plan on a frontier problem in engineering and applied sciences; plans connected to Notre Dame's 2033 Strategic Framework and Initiatives are especially welcome
• Current Notre Dame postdoctoral scholars are not eligible

How to apply

1. Contact us first. Email Prof. Nick Laneman at jnl@nd.edu with your CV and a short description of your research interests. Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact potential mentors before submitting, and every fellow needs a College of Engineering primary mentor.
2. Submit your application by December 15, 2026 (11:59 pm EST) at https://apply.interfolio.com/190463. Details at https://engineering.nd.edu/provosts-postdoctoral-fellowships-in-engineering-program/. The package includes:
   • Curriculum vitae
   • Statement (up to 5 pages, excluding citations) covering career goals, research accomplishments, teaching and mentoring experience, and your proposed research. It must name your primary mentor and any co-mentors and explain those choices.
   • A presentation of up to 5 slides (PDF, using the template on the program page)
   • Three recommendation letters submitted through Interfolio by the deadline
3. Decisions are expected by March 31, 2027. Questions about the submission process: eng-postdocs@nd.edu. (If your mentor's primary appointment is in the College of Science, apply to the College of Science Society of Science Fellowship instead.)

Learn more: wireless.nd.edu