WASP-HS postdoctoral scholarship on autonomous systems and robotics

The WASP-HS postdoctoral scholarship on autonomous systems and robotics sends a researcher who recently earned a doctorate at a Swedish university to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for one to two years. The post begins in September 2027. At MIT the fellow is affiliated with Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) and either the MIT Media Lab or the MIT Mobility Initiative. The scholarship is part of the WASP-HS research environment Autonomous Systems and Robotics in Society.

The stipend is approximately USD 73,308 a year. The final amount follows the host institution's standard rate. There is also a travel grant of USD 7,500 a year, an annual allowance of USD 15,000 for accompanying family members, and MIT's standard health insurance for postdocs. The stipend cannot be combined with other stipends or positions. After each year the fellow sends a progress report to the Foundation and to WASP-HS. If the fellow cannot find another position afterwards, the Wallenberg Foundation may fund a research post at a Swedish university for up to two years.

You must have a doctoral degree from a Swedish university no more than two years before the start, and a connection to a Swedish university or a similar non profit research organisation. You cannot have been employed or a scholar at MIT before this post. The page welcomes applicants from all disciplines. The project should use a social science or humanities approach to the consequences of AI or autonomous systems, or study how that knowledge helps build those systems. It should also fit the group's work on the future of work, care, or labor, and possibly on movement and touch between people and an autonomous system.

Before you apply, write to Hannah Pelikan at hannah.pelikan@liu.se about fit. She can provide a letter of intent that is not binding, which you include with the application. Submit in English through the Wallenberg Foundation portal at kawansokan.wallenberg.org. Create an account, open the "KAW stipend" tab, and choose "Broad Institute and MIT Postdoctoral Fellowship." The attachments are a CV with publications, a personal letter of at most one A4 page, a research program of at most six A4 pages, two letters of support, and the host letter of intent. A budget is not required. Applications must arrive by 16 November 2026. Incomplete applications are not considered. You may apply for only one of the Foundation's postdoctoral scholarships.

Review looks at the scientific record, the quality and feasibility of the project, and its relevance to WASP-HS and to the research environment. Top ranked candidates are interviewed from 14 to 22 January 2027. Questions about the process go to contact@wasp-hs.org.

Quick answers

How much does it pay?

Approximately USD 73,308 annually. It is paid to the person as a stipend.

When is the deadline?

The deadline is 16 November 2026.

Who can apply?

A doctoral degree from a Swedish university no more than two years before the post starts, plus a connection to a Swedish university or a similar non profit research organisation. Applicants cannot have been employed or a scholar at MIT before this post. It is limited to applicants in Europe, SE.

Is it online or in person?

In person, in Cambridge, United States.

How do I apply?

Through the official page at kawansokan.wallenberg.org. The link is at the top of this page.

Can this stipend be combined with another job or stipend?

No. The stipend cannot be combined with other stipends or positions.

What happens after the time at MIT?

If the fellow cannot find another position, the Wallenberg Foundation may fund a research post at a Swedish university for up to two years.