Postdoctoral Fellowship in Mathematics

Application Procedure and Joining

Selection procedure, application requirements, joining arrangements, and information for candidates holding or seeking externally funded postdoctoral fellowships.

Selection Procedure Information for Current Postdocs

Applying to the programme

Selection Procedure

  1. Application Timeline

    Selection Procedure & Timelines

    The HRI Math postdoctoral selection process typically occurs twice a year. While exact dates are confirmed during each official application call, our standard schedule is as follows:

    Summer Cycle (Tentative)

    • Application Timeline: May 15 -- June 15 (All materials, including recommendation letters, must be received before the deadline)
    • Selection Concludes: July 30

    Winter Cycle (Tentative)

    • Application Timeline: October 15 -- November 15 (All materials, including recommendation letters, must be received before the deadline)
    • Selection Concludes: December 30

    Note: Please check this page regularly for official announcements and exact dates.

  2. Application File

    The application should be one single PDF file consisting of:

    • Cover Letter
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • List of Publications
    • List of Referees
    • Research Proposal

  3. Choose a Discipline

    Applicants are asked to choose one of the following four disciplines while applying:

    Algebra and Algebraic Geometry

    Group Theory, Representation Theory, Algebraic Structures, Category Theory, Algebraic Geometry etc.

    Analysis

    Differential Equations, Harmonic Analysis, Probability, Functional Analysis, Geometric Analysis, Complex Analysis etc.

    Geometry and Topology

    Differential Geometry, Riemannian Geometry, Differential Topology, Algebraic Topology etc.

    Number Theory

    Algebraic Number Theory, Analytic Number Theory, Theory of L-functions, Arithmetic Dynamics etc.

    An applicant may choose more than one discipline, but no more than two, if they are unsure which discipline would have been appropriate.

  4. Send the Application and Recommendation Letters

    Once you have selected a discipline, you must submit your application to the designated email address.

    • Where to send: Discipline-specific email addresses are announced during each open call. Please check the Open Call for Applications page for the current addresses.
    • Recommendation Letters: You must explicitly instruct your referees to send their recommendation letters directly to the same email address you used for your application. Applicants need to make sure that the two letters of recommendation have been sent before the deadline.

  5. Online Presentation

    Candidates who pass the initial screening will be invited to give a 30-minute online presentation.

    • The session will consist of a 25-minute talk and 5 minutes for questions.
    • Presentations are typically held from July 1st to 10th, and December 1st to 10th.
    • We will email you your scheduled time at least one week in advance.
    • Please note that HRI faculty, students, and postdoctoral fellows are welcome to attend these talks.

After selection

Joining

Joining requirement

Joining Dates

Selected candidates are typically expected to join the institute by the following dates:

  • Summer Round: September 15
  • Winter Round: February 15

In exceptional circumstances, the joining deadline may be extended.

Research guidance

Mentor Assignment

On joining the institute, a postdoc will be assigned a faculty member as a mentor. This assignment will be based on research areas and interests. In case, a mentor is not assigned, a member of the Mathematics Academic Committee will act as the mentor.

Initial presentation

Joining Talk

A postdoc joining talk will take place within one month of joining the institute. It would be the responsibility of the mentor to schedule the joining talk.

Other fellowship routes

Externally Funded Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics

  1. Selection Procedure

    Candidates holding an externally funded fellowship must meet the same academic criteria and undergo the exact same selection procedure as regular HRI Postdoctoral Fellows.

    Candidates Seeking HRI Endorsement

    If you are seeking endorsement from an HRI faculty member to apply for an external fellowship, you must apply to HRI well in advance (ideally as soon as the external funding call is announced).

    • Application Process: The procedure is identical to the regular HRI postdoctoral application.
    • Presentation: You will be required to deliver a 30-minute online talk followed by a discussion.
    • Endorsement: Official endorsement is granted only to candidates who successfully pass this screening process.

    Note: You are welcome to directly contact an HRI faculty member to discuss potential endorsements at any time, even if there is no active HRI postdoctoral application call.