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. Dr. Gilbreth laid the foundations of modern industrial engineering, invented designs of consumer appliances, hospital, office, and sport equipment to make work and life easier, and was a consultant to many major corporations. She was elected to the US National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 1965 and awarded the prestigious Hoover Medal in 1966 for “contributions to motion study and to recognition of the principle that management engineering and human relations are intertwined”. The NAE also established the Gilbreth Lectureship in 2001 as a means of recognizing outstanding young American engineers. Beginning in 1930, by serving on President Hoover’s Emergency Committee on Employment, she was as an advisor to five U.S. presidents on committees dealing with civil defense, war production, and rehabilitation of the handicapped. She also received more than twenty honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions. Purdue University’s e-archives feature many historical materials on Dr. Gilbreth’s life and career.

The goal of the Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at Purdue Engineering is to attract and prepare outstanding individuals 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.

ELIGIBILITY AND BENEFITS

Individuals who have either completed their PhD on or after Dec. 31, 2022, 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, 2021, and who had a break in education or employment due to the birth or adoption of a child, will also be considered.

Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

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. A candidate’s Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellowship co-advisor(s) cannot include their PhD thesis advisor(s).

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.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

1. Cover letter describing how the Gilbreth Fellowship will help the candidates progress towards their goals in Engineering academia.
2. Curriculum Vitae including list of publications.
3. One-page research statement that includes goals and significance of proposed interdisciplinary work and lists potential Purdue engineering faculty members who can be co-advisors.
4. A one-page essay on their proposed broader impact through education/outreach/engagement.
5. Three letters of recommendation that include detailed assessments of (a) the candidate’s qualifications and (b) potential for success in academia through scholarly research and broader impact through research/education/engagement. Letters from potential Purdue co-advisors will not be accepted.

Applications accepted beginning July 15, 2024. Apply at the Purdue University Internal Competitions and Limited Submissions page https://purdue.infoready4.com/) by clicking on Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025-26. You may sort by the due date of 10/31/2024 to access it more readily.

Create an account by clicking on the Register button at the bottom of the Log In page. Here you will input your name and email address and click on Create Account. You will be asked to confirm your account via an email notification sent to the email address entered. Use this email address and established password to access the site. Please note that email domains affiliated with institutions, e.g., edu, are required.

If you have questions about the application process, please email us at coeoaa@purdue.edu.

KEY DATES

Deadline for submission of cover letter, curriculum vita, research statement, impact statement and three letters of recommendation: October 31, 2024.

Awardees will be selected based on faculty committee recommendations and approval of co-advisors and school/division heads. Gilbreth Fellowship awardees will be announced by January 2025.

Fellowship start dates must be in 2025.

FUNDING MODEL

• The College of Engineering will provide $60K annually towards a Gilbreth Fellow’s annual stipend with prorated benefits.
• The two co-advisors will contribute a total of $10K in salary annually with prorated benefits and will be responsible for providing all research equipment and supplies and expenses for the proposed research.
• The Schools/Departments of the two Purdue co-advisors will each contribute $2,500 towards a $5,000 total professional development grant.

MENTORING PLAN

A draft mentoring plan developed by the co-advisors will be included in the offer letter to the Gilbreth Fellowship awardees, but there would be an expectation that the mentors and mentee will work together during the first 3 months to develop a comprehensive Individual Development Plan (IDP).