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: Fellowship supporting postdoctoral research at NIST to develop advanced ballistics identification methods using 2D/3D surface topography measurements of bullets and cartridge cases.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree; requires contacting the research adviser prior to application; NIST participates in February and August review cycles.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) focuses on advancing forensic ballistics identification by leveraging two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) surface topography measurements rather than traditional optical microscopy image comparisons. Fired bullets and cartridge cases bear unique micro-topographical signatures left by firearms, which forensic examiners use to trace evidence to specific weapons.
Current automated ballistics identification systems rely heavily on image quality, which can be compromised by lighting conditions. The proposed research investigates direct measurement and correlation of the geometrical micro-topographies of ballistics signatures to improve identification accuracy.
NIST has developed a 2D/3D Topography Measurement and Correlation System for certifying Standard Reference Materials (SRM 2460/2461) for bullets and cartridge cases. This system includes contact and non-contact measurement instruments such as stylus-profiling devices with wide dynamic range and 3D profiling, interferometric microscopes, Nipkow disk confocal microscopes, and stylus-laser surface profilers. The research will assess the feasibility of using these topography measurements for ballistics identification. Access to an Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) at a crime laboratory may also be available.
This fellowship is ideal for postdoctoral researchers interested in forensic science, surface metrology, and applied physics, aiming to contribute to law enforcement standards and forensic methodologies.
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 duration: 2 years
- No supplementation indicated
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 beginning tenure
- Experience: Postdoctoral applicants must have held their doctorate for less than five years as of the application deadline
- Prior affiliation: Applicants with current or recent prior affiliation with NIST (e.g., employment or previous NRC fellowship) may be ineligible
- Letter writers: Must not be employed by NIST unless they have served as mentors or collaborators during the applicant’s prior academic or research work
Application Process
Steps to Apply
- Review eligibility on the NRC RAP website and confirm suitability for the NIST opportunity.
- Identify the research opportunity: Advanced Ballistics Identification at NIST (Opportunity Code: 50.68.31.B7582).
- Contact the Research Adviser: Junfeng John Song (song@nist.gov, 301-975-3799) to discuss research interests and funding availability before applying.
- Prepare application materials including:
- Research proposal (max 10 pages) with sections on problem statement, background, methodology, new methods, expected results, and significance.
- 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).
- Register and submit application via the NRC RAP online portal: Apply Now.
- Notify letter writers through the online system to upload their letters by the deadline.
Application Requirements
- Transcripts (postdoctoral applicants only) must be current and uploaded.
- Letters of recommendation must be uploaded by letter writers by the deadline.
- Applications must be complete and validated before submission.
- Only one application per sponsoring federal agency is allowed per cycle.
- Applicants may apply to up to three different agencies in one cycle.
Additional Information
- NRC Research Associateships at NIST are typically two-year appointments.
- Health insurance enrollment is required throughout the tenure.
- Relocation assistance is available for awardees moving more than 50 miles.
- Annual travel allowance supports conference attendance and fieldwork.
- Review panels consist of experts in chemistry, earth sciences, engineering, life sciences, and physics.
- Applications are scored on a 100-point scale; scores above 70 are recommended for awards.
- Feedback is provided approximately one week after review finalization.
- Applicants who do not receive awards may reapply after one year; previous awardees must wait two years before reapplying.
External Links
Contact Information
For general questions about eligibility and application procedures, contact the NRC RAP office at rap@nas.edu.