Application Guide
How to Apply for AI Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Natural and Artificial Minds
at Princeton AI Lab
🏢 About Princeton AI Lab
The Princeton AI Lab is a premier research institution at the forefront of interdisciplinary AI research, uniquely positioned at the intersection of cognitive science and artificial intelligence. Its distinctive strength lies in its dual focus on advancing AI technology while simultaneously using those advances to deepen our understanding of human cognition, creating a powerful feedback loop between natural and artificial minds. The lab's substantial computational resources, including a 300 H100 GPU cluster, provide an exceptional environment for cutting-edge research that few institutions can match.
About This Role
This AI Postdoctoral Research Fellow role involves contributing to either the 'Explanation and Intelligibility' project or the 'Developing and Testing AI Models of Human Cognitive Function' project, or potentially both. You'll leverage advanced AI techniques to study both natural and artificial cognitive systems in parallel, making discoveries about human cognition while finding ways to improve AI systems. This position offers the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between cognitive science and AI engineering at one of the world's leading research institutions.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve designing and running experiments on the GPU cluster to test AI models on cognitive tasks, analyzing results to draw insights about both model performance and human cognition, and participating in lab meetings where researchers from different disciplines discuss findings and plan next steps. You'd likely split your time between computational work, literature review on cognitive science topics, and collaborative discussions about how AI advances can inform our understanding of minds.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Princeton AI Lab Is Looking For
- A recent or imminent Ph.D. graduate in cognitive science, psychology, computer science, or philosophy with demonstrated experience applying AI methods to cognitive science questions
- Someone with a strong publication record or project portfolio showing they can both design/engineer AI models AND interpret their cognitive implications
- A researcher comfortable working with large-scale computational resources (like the 300 H100 GPU cluster) while maintaining focus on fundamental questions about minds and intelligence
- An interdisciplinary thinker who can articulate how their work contributes to both understanding human cognition and advancing AI systems
📝 Tips for Applying to Princeton AI Lab
Explicitly mention which of the two core projects ('Explanation and Intelligibility' or 'AI Models of Human Cognitive Function') you're most interested in and why, or propose how you might contribute to both
Detail specific experience with GPU clusters or similar computational resources, even if not at Princeton's scale, to demonstrate you can leverage their infrastructure effectively
Connect your previous research directly to the lab's dual mission - show examples where you've either used AI to study cognition OR used cognitive insights to improve AI systems
Mention your ability and willingness to relocate to Princeton for in-person work, as this is explicitly required in the qualifications
Include a brief research proposal (1-2 paragraphs) showing how you would use the lab's resources to advance one of their core projects during your fellowship
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific interest in the intersection of natural and artificial minds, with concrete examples from your research demonstrating this interdisciplinary approach', 'How your background (whether in cognitive science, computer science, or philosophy) prepares you to contribute to both understanding human cognition AND improving AI systems', "Which of the two core projects you're most excited about and initial ideas for how you might contribute based on current literature in that area", "Your experience with computational methods and readiness to work with the lab's substantial GPU resources"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review recent publications from Princeton AI Lab researchers to understand their specific approaches to studying natural and artificial minds
- → Investigate the technical specifications and capabilities of the 300 H100 GPU cluster to understand what computational approaches are feasible
- → Look into the backgrounds of potential mentors or collaborators at the lab to identify whose research aligns most closely with your interests
- → Study Princeton University's broader cognitive science and AI ecosystem to understand potential interdisciplinary collaborations beyond the immediate lab
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing exclusively on either AI engineering OR cognitive science without demonstrating how you connect the two disciplines
- Failing to address the in-person requirement or suggesting remote work arrangements
- Presenting generic AI research interests without tailoring them to the lab's specific focus on the intersection of natural and artificial minds
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Princeton AI Lab!