Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Next deadline)
Funding Amounts: $75,000 base stipend plus $2,000 travel allowance; stipend increases with postdoctoral experience; typical award duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Fellowship opportunity for postdoctoral researchers to develop advanced antimonide-based infrared detectors addressing materials, processing, and interface challenges for next-generation infrared imaging systems.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a PhD earned within the last 5 years; research conducted onsite at U.S. Army RDEC/NVESD in Fort Belvoir, VA; relocation and health insurance benefits included.
Description
This fellowship opportunity supports postdoctoral researchers aiming to contribute to the development of next-generation infrared imaging sensors based on group III-antimonide materials. Recent advances have been made in engineered materials such as type II strain layer superlattices, bulk InAsxSb(1-x), and novel heterostructure device designs like the nBn architecture. These antimonide-based infrared detectors promise enhanced performance for long wavelength and dual-band infrared detection, along with reductions in cost, size, weight, and power consumption.
The program focuses on overcoming key challenges before these materials can be fully integrated into imaging systems. Specific research topics of interest include:
- Investigating surface and interface chemistry of antimonide materials to understand and mitigate current leakage pathways.
- Developing new inductively coupled plasma mesa delineation and device processing techniques to enable higher density focal plane arrays with improved uniformity.
- Conducting fundamental studies on molecular beam epitaxy growth of III-V materials and hetero-interfaces to reduce defects and enhance material performance.
The research is hosted at the U.S. Army Research, Development & Engineering Command, Night Vision/Electronic Sensors Directorate (RDEC/NVESD) located in Fort Belvoir, VA.
Due Dates
- Next application deadline: May 1, 2025, 5:00 PM ET
- Subsequent review finalization: Early June 2025
Applications are accepted in multiple cycles throughout the year; check the NRC RAP For Applicants page for full schedule.
Funding Amount
- Base stipend: $75,000 per year
- Travel allowance: $2,000 per year
- Experience supplement: Additional stipend based on years of post-PhD experience
- Typical award duration: 2 to 3 years
- Additional benefits: Paid relocation for awardees living more than 50 miles from the host lab, group health insurance for awardees and dependents
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens only
- Education: Must have earned a Ph.D. or equivalent research doctorate before starting 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 employment or postdoctoral fellowships at the sponsoring agency may be ineligible
- Research location: Research must be conducted onsite at the U.S. Army RDEC/NVESD facility in Fort Belvoir, VA
Application Process
Steps to Apply
- Review eligibility criteria on the NRC RAP For Applicants page.
- Identify this Research Opportunity (Opportunity Number: 33.01.08.B8447) and contact the Research Adviser, Neil Francis Baril (neil.f.baril.civ@army.mil), to discuss your research proposal and funding availability.
- Prepare application materials including:
- Research proposal (max 10 pages) detailing problem statement, background, methodology, expected results, and significance
- Curriculum vitae and transcripts (postdoctoral applicants must upload transcripts from all post-secondary institutions)
- Letters of recommendation (minimum 3, including dissertation adviser)
- Register and submit your application via the NRC RAP online system: Start Application
- Ensure all letters of recommendation are submitted by the deadline.
Application Requirements
- Research proposal must be original, innovative, and feasible within 2-3 years
- Letters of recommendation must be uploaded by letter writers via the online system by the deadline
- Applicants must notify letter writers to expect the request and confirm submission
- Transcripts must be current and in English (certified translations required for non-English transcripts)
- Applications missing required materials or with ineligible letter writers will not be reviewed
Review and Selection
- Applications are reviewed by expert panels in relevant scientific disciplines
- Review includes evaluation of academic record, research proposal quality, letters of recommendation, and host laboratory support
- Scores are assigned on a 100-point scale; scores above 70 typically recommended for award
- Final funding decisions depend on ranking and available slots
Additional Information
- Awardees receive mentorship, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and opportunities to collaborate with leading scientists
- Health insurance coverage is available for awardees and qualifying dependents in the U.S.
- Relocation assistance is provided for those moving more than 50 miles to the host lab
- The program encourages professional growth and career development in academia, industry, or government research
External Links
Contact Information
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|
| Program Contact | NRC Research Associateship Programs |
| Email | rap@nas.edu |
| Phone | 202-334-2760 |
| Research Adviser | Neil Francis Baril |
| Adviser Email | neil.f.baril.civ@army.mil |
| Adviser Phone | 520-674-7351 |
| Location | U.S. Army RDEC/NVESD, Fort Belvoir, VA |
This fellowship is ideal for early-career researchers specializing in semiconductor materials, infrared photodetectors, III-V compound semiconductors, surface chemistry, and molecular beam epitaxy, seeking to advance infrared sensor technology with practical applications in defense and imaging systems.