The UC Berkeley CHAI Research Fellowship 2026 is a highly competitive postdoctoral research opportunity hosted at the Center for Human-Compatible AI (CHAI), University of California, Berkeley. The fellowship is designed for exceptional researchers aiming to advance the development of safe, beneficial and human-aligned artificial intelligence systems.
Fellows will collaborate with leading AI researchers including Stuart Russell, Pieter Abbeel and Anca Dragan while also engaging with Berkeley AI Research and other global academic institutions.
The programme focuses on advancing foundational AI research in areas such as machine learning, decision-making systems, multi-agent cooperation and the ethical and theoretical foundations of artificial intelligence.
About the CHAI Research Fellowship
The CHAI Research Fellowship is built around the mission of ensuring that artificial intelligence systems are designed to benefit humanity. Fellows are given the flexibility to pursue independent and innovative research aligned with this goal.
The fellowship encourages interdisciplinary collaboration across computer science, economics, neuroscience, philosophy and cognitive science to better understand intelligent systems and human values.
Research Areas
Fellows may explore research topics including:
- Theoretical foundations of intelligent agent systems
- Probabilistic modelling and reasoning systems
- Long-term decision-making in AI
- Lifelong learning and adaptive systems
- Human-in-the-loop reinforcement learning
- Human-robot interaction
- Modelling human preferences and decision behaviour
- Multi-agent coordination and cooperation
- Mechanism design in AI systems
- Philosophical and formal foundations of AI
Responsibilities
CHAI Research Fellows are expected to:
- Conduct independent and collaborative research
- Work closely with faculty members and research teams
- Contribute to ongoing AI safety research projects
- Mentor junior researchers where necessary
- Participate in academic discussions and seminars
- Engage in teaching activities where relevant
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Hold or be near completion of a PhD in a relevant discipline
- Demonstrate strong research experience in AI or related fields
- Have a strong publication record or equivalent research output
- Show strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Possess knowledge of machine learning or statistical methods
Relevant fields include computer science, mathematics, statistics, economics and related technical disciplines.
Salary and Duration
- Duration: 2 years (renewable up to 3 years)
- Salary: Competitive based on UC Berkeley standards
- Visa sponsorship: Available for eligible candidates
- Visa support may extend to dependents
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to submit:
- Updated CV
- One-page statement of research interest
- Contact details of two academic referees
- Completed online application form
Selection is based on academic excellence, research achievements, leadership potential and alignment with CHAI’s research mission.
Application Deadline
Not Specified
APPLY HERE
Apply for UC Berkeley CHAI Fellowship
Programme Benefits
The CHAI Research Fellowship offers a rare opportunity to work at one of the world’s leading AI research centres. Fellows benefit from access to top-tier faculty, advanced research infrastructure and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.
The programme is ideal for researchers aiming to contribute to the future of safe and beneficial artificial intelligence while working alongside globally recognised experts.