Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline)
Funding Amounts: $99,200 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical award duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Fellowship to develop novel fabrication methods for next-generation compound semiconductor photovoltaics and infrared photodetectors at the Naval Research Laboratory.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; postdoctoral applicants only; includes relocation and health insurance benefits.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focuses on advancing fabrication techniques for next-generation photovoltaic solar cells and infrared (IR) photodetectors using compound semiconductor materials. The research aims to develop and implement innovative processing methods for compound semiconductor optoelectronic devices and test structures.
Key research challenges include:
- Selective and non-selective wet and dry etching processes for novel optoelectronic materials and device structures.
- Understanding and mitigating surface defects that cause leakage currents through surface treatments and fabrication improvements.
- Incorporation of photonic and plasmonic structures to enhance or modify optical coupling.
- Techniques such as substrate removal and epitaxial lift-off.
- Fabrication of small-pitch (3-20 microns), deep-etched (4-15 microns) pixels for large-format focal plane arrays.
- Integration of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) techniques in III-V semiconductor optoelectronics.
- Development of innovative device architectures to improve dark current and quantum efficiency.
- Enhancing process control to reduce costs and improve manufacturability.
The research will be conducted at the NRL Institute for Nanoscience, which houses a class 100 cleanroom and state-of-the-art fabrication and characterization tools for compound semiconductor materials and devices.
Keywords associated with this opportunity include nanofabrication, compound semiconductors, photovoltaics, type-II superlattices, infrared photodetectors, plasmonics, MEMS, semiconductor surfaces, and nanotechnology.
Due Dates
- Application Deadline: May 1, 2025 (5:00 PM ET)
Funding Amount
- Base stipend: $99,200 per year
- Travel allowance: $3,000 per year
- Typical award duration: 2-3 years
- Additional benefits: relocation assistance for awardees living more than 50 miles from the host lab, group health insurance for awardees and qualifying dependents in the U.S.
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.
- Career stage: Postdoctoral applicants who have earned a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M., or equivalent) within the last five years as of the application deadline.
- Prior affiliation: Applicants with current or recent prior employment or postdoctoral fellowships at the sponsoring agency (NRL) may be ineligible.
- Applicants must not have ongoing or recent prior affiliation that disqualifies eligibility, but prior collaborative research with the agency is generally acceptable if it does not involve continuation of the same project or adviser.
- Security clearance may be required depending on agency policies.
Application Process
Steps to Apply
- Review eligibility criteria on the NRC RAP For Applicants page.
- Identify this Research Opportunity (NRL Opportunity Number: 64.15.25.B7955).
- Contact the Research Adviser, Jill A Nolde (jill.a.nolde.civ@us.navy.mil, 202-767-0358), to discuss your research proposal and funding availability.
- Prepare application materials including:
- Profile information (contact, education, employment, honors)
- Transcripts (required for postdocs)
- Research proposal (max 10 pages) with sections on problem statement, background, methodology, new methods, expected results, and significance.
- Letters of recommendation (minimum 3, including dissertation adviser for postdocs).
- Submit the application online via the NRC RAP portal before the May 1, 2025 deadline.
Application Requirements
- Research proposal must be original, innovative, technically sound, and feasible within 2-3 years.
- Letters of recommendation must be uploaded by letter writers via the online system by the deadline.
- Applicants are responsible for ensuring all materials are complete and submitted on time.
- Applications are reviewed by expert panels and scored on academic record, research merit, and fit with the sponsoring lab’s mission.
Additional Information
- Awardees receive mentorship and access to NRL’s advanced nanofabrication facilities.
- Relocation expenses are covered for those moving more than 50 miles.
- Health insurance is available for awardees and dependents.
- The program supports professional growth and career development in academia, industry, or government research.
- Feedback on application reviews is provided approximately one week after panel decisions.
External Links
Contact Information
For application questions and eligibility confirmation, contact the NRC RAP office at rap@nas.edu.