Reference Letters

In order for reviewers to view all portions of the application, we are requesting that reference writers submit their letters electronically using the link that will be emailed to you once the applicant enters your information on their application. Thank you for your assistance in making this electronic review process successful.

These recommendations are an essential part of our evaluation procedure.  Please provide your evaluation of the candidate’s accomplishments thus far and their potential for future achievements. Specifically, we would appreciate insights into the candidate’s ability to conduct and communicate their research, the originality and creativity of their work, and their grit and tenacity in overcoming obstacles. If you are aware of any significant life circumstances that have impacted the candidate’s productivity, trajectory, or performance, please comment on these in your letter.

The following information may be of some assistance. Eighteen-month awards are made annually on a competitive basis to recent recipients (within the past three years) of Ph.D. degrees. Applications are welcomed from all areas of mathematics, engineering, and science, including doctorates in the physical and biological sciences and engineering who wish to enter the field of oceanography. Applications are also accepted from recent graduates in oceanography who wish to broaden their background and gain experience through exposure to the broad spectrum of the ocean problems being studied at WHOI. This year, we also plan to award scholarships to those whose academic record and stated interests demonstrate the potential to build institutional momentum in research areas in data and computational sciences, defense-adjacent fields of ocean science and engineering, and with connections to potentially commercializable applications. Finally, an award will be given to an individual interested in working with The National Ocean Sciences Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Facility (NOSAMS) facility on either or both (i) studies of radiocarbon in oceanic systems and (ii) developments in accelerator mass spectrometry and related techniques. Each awardee is encouraged to pursue their own research interests in association with a member of the resident research staff.

We typically receive between 100 and 150 applications for five to ten available awards. There are five scientific departments at WHOI: Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Biology, Geology and Geophysics, Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, and Physical Oceanography.  Graduates in Marine Policy are also encouraged to apply. Selection is carried out by a multi-disciplinary group.

Thank you for the time and effort you have devoted on behalf of the applicant and in assisting us with the selection process.

Process

References writers will receive an individualized link via email and will be directed to a site for letter submission.  If the applicant has entered your information and you have not received a link, please check your spam.

Completed references will be accepted until Midnight EDT on December 1st. Specific questions about the fellowship should be addressed to the WHOI Postdoctoral Coordinator at: postdoc@whoi.edu or (508) 289-2950.

Please note: Emailed references will not be accepted; references must be submitted on-line.

Announcement of awards will be made in February.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Organization.