The Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellowships at Purdue Engineering are awarded in memory of Dr. Lillian Moller Gilbreth, Professor at Purdue from 1935-1948. A world renowned pioneer in the application of psychology to industrial engineering, Dr. Gilbreth’s work epitomized interdisciplinary research and broader impact on industry and society.
The goal of the Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at Purdue Engineering is to attract and prepare outstanding individuals, from across the country and around the world, with recently awarded PhD’s for a career in engineering academia through interdisciplinary research, training and professional development.
The Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellows are selected not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements and proposed innovative interdisciplinary research but also for their potential for broader impact on industry and society. They undertake research with faculty mentors in different fields and participate in professional development activities tailored to their chosen path in academia.
The Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellows are selected not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements and proposed innovative interdisciplinary research but also for their potential for broader impact on industry and society. They undertake research with faculty mentors in different fields and participate in professional development activities tailored to their chosen path in academia.
ELIGIBILITY AND BENEFITS
Individuals who have either completed their PhD on or after Dec. 31, 2023, or are in the final year of their PhD program in engineering or related sciences, can apply. Applicants who currently reside outside of the United States must receive endorsement from their proposed co-advisors in order to be considered. This endorsement will be requested as part of the internal selection process; applicants are not required to contact the proposed co-advisors prior to applying.
Applicants with PhDs granted on or after Dec. 31, 2022, and who had a break in education or employment due to the birth or adoption of a child, will also be considered.
Gilbreth Fellows will have two co-advisors. One faculty co-advisor must have a primary appointment in an Engineering school/division. The second must have a primary appointment in a different Engineering school/division or at a non-engineering department at Purdue. An additional third collaborator from within or outside Purdue can also participate in the project. To highlight the interdisciplinary innovation we expect in fellows, a Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellowship co-advisor cannot include their PhD thesis advisor(s) or members of their PhD committee.
Applicants can (a) propose their own innovative research proposal and suggest potential Purdue co-advisors, or (b) choose to develop their proposal based on interdisciplinary topics already posted by faculty on the fellowship website.
Gilbreth Fellows are appointed for a two-year term, and receive an annual stipend of $70,000 and benefits. A $5,000 grant is also provided for professional development such as attending conferences or workshops, and Fellows are mentored for their future academic careers through a variety of programs.
The Gilbreth Fellowship is a full-time appointment and the Fellows undertake research with their faculty co-advisors, participate in professional development activities, and are required to prepare and submit short annual reports on their achievements.
