Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: $82,764 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral research to develop improved methods and protocols for forensic fire debris analysis, including sample preparation, analytical techniques, and data interpretation.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree; requires contacting a NIST research adviser prior to application; applications reviewed in February and August cycles at NIST.
Description
This fellowship opportunity, offered through the NRC Research Associateship Programs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), focuses on advancing forensic fire debris analysis. Fire debris analysis is a critical forensic tool used to determine arson by detecting ignitable liquids in fire residues. The standard approach involves extracting evidence followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and interpreting chromatographic patterns against known ignitable liquids.
The program seeks innovative projects that strengthen one or more aspects of this process, including:
- Development of new sample preparation or extraction methods.
- Exploration of novel analytical techniques such as ambient ionization mass spectrometry.
- Creation of objective protocols or methodologies for data interpretation.
- Establishment of standards, reference data, error rates, or uncertainty quantification relevant to the forensic community.
Collaborations with other NIST laboratories and local, state, and federal forensic laboratories are encouraged. The program targets independent, motivated researchers with backgrounds in analytical chemistry, engineering, statistics, or mathematics to contribute to interdisciplinary projects.
Due Dates
- February 1, 2025 (5 PM ET)
- May 1, 2025 (5 PM ET)
- August 1, 2025 (5 PM ET)
- November 1, 2025 (5 PM ET)
Note: If a deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it is moved to the next business day.
NIST specifically participates in the February and August review cycles.
Funding Amount
- Base stipend: $82,764 per year
- Travel allowance: $3,000 annually
- Typical appointment length: 2 years
Additional benefits include health insurance (shared cost) and relocation assistance if applicable.
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens only.
- Education: Applicants must have earned a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M., or equivalent) before starting tenure.
- Career stage: Primarily for postdoctoral researchers (doctoral degree held less than 5 years at application deadline).
- Prior affiliation: Applicants with current or recent prior employment or postdoctoral fellowship at NIST may be ineligible.
- Security: May require satisfactory completion of a National Agency Check or other clearance.
Application Process
Before Applying
- Identify the research opportunity and contact the designated Research Adviser (Edward Ryan Sisco: edward.sisco@nist.gov, 301-975-2093) to discuss your research proposal and funding availability.
- Confirm eligibility, especially regarding prior affiliation with NIST.
Application Components
- Profile information including contact, demographic, education history, and transcripts (postdoctoral applicants must upload transcripts).
- Research proposal (up to 10 pages) including:
- Statement of the problem
- Background and relevance
- Methodology and timeline
- New or unusual methods
- Expected results and significance
- Literature cited
- Previous and current research description (max 4 pages).
- List of publications and presentations (max 2 pages).
- Letters of recommendation (minimum 3, including dissertation adviser for postdocs).
- References must not be employed by NIST unless they served as mentors or collaborators during prior academic work.
Submission
- Apply online via the NRC RAP portal: Apply Now
- Applications must be submitted by 5 PM ET on the deadline date.
- Letters of recommendation must be uploaded by letter writers via the online system by the deadline.
Review and Selection
- Applications are reviewed by expert panels in relevant scientific disciplines.
- Scores are assigned on a 100-point scale; scores above 70 are recommended for awards.
- Final funding decisions depend on ranking and available slots.
- Feedback is provided approximately one week after review finalization.
Additional Information
- Awards are onsite only at NIST facilities in Gaithersburg, MD.
- Health insurance is required throughout the tenure.
- Relocation assistance is available for those moving more than 50 miles.
- Travel allowance supports conference attendance and related activities.
- Applicants may apply for up to three research opportunities but only one per sponsoring federal agency.
- Previous NRC Research Associateship holders may reapply after a two-year gap.
External Links
Contact Information
For questions about eligibility or application procedures, contact the NRC RAP office via email or phone.