Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: $82,764 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral scientists to develop AI and machine learning frameworks for real-time fire prediction to improve firefighter safety and situational awareness.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree; applications require prior contact with NIST Research Adviser; NIST participates only in February and August review cycles.
Description
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Fire Research Division within the Engineering Laboratory is seeking postdoctoral scientists to develop next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) frameworks aimed at real-time, efficient, and accurate prediction of fire behavior in real-life firefighting scenarios. The goal is to enhance situational awareness, operational effectiveness, and safety for firefighters by providing trustworthy, actionable information during fire events.
Current fire prediction models are limited by their inability to handle realistic conditions and their computational inefficiency, making them unsuitable for real-time use. This fellowship opportunity focuses on overcoming these challenges by developing novel ML-based prediction frameworks that address issues such as the scarcity of real fire data and the prediction of flashover events before they occur.
Key research areas include deep learning, compartment fires, real-time forecasting, realistic environmental conditions, and integration of IoT sensor data. The work builds on recent advances in generating synthetic sensor data and flashover prediction models.
Due Dates
- February 1, 2025 (NIST participates in this review cycle)
- August 1, 2025 (NIST participates in this review cycle)
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET on the deadline date. If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it is moved to the next business day.
Funding Amount
- Base stipend: $82,764 per year
- Travel allowance: $3,000 annually
- Typical appointment duration: 2 years
- Health insurance coverage is required and partially subsidized
- Relocation assistance available for awardees moving more than 50 miles
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 employment or postdoctoral fellowships at NIST may be ineligible; research collaborations are generally acceptable unless continuing the same project or adviser
- Security clearance: May be required depending on agency policies
Application Process
- Identify Opportunity: Review the NIST Fire Research Division opportunity (Research Opportunity Number: 50.73.31.C0710).
- Contact Adviser: Applicants must contact the designated Research Adviser, Wai Cheong Tam (waicheong.tam@nist.gov), prior to applying to discuss research plans and funding availability.
- Prepare Application: Submit a research proposal (max 10 pages) including:
- Statement of the problem
- Background and relevance
- Methodology
- New or unusual methods
- Expected results and significance
- Literature cited
- Submit Application: Apply through the NRC Research Associateship Programs online portal before the deadline.
- References: Provide 3-5 letters of recommendation, including the dissertation adviser for postdocs. Letters must be uploaded by letter writers via the online system by the deadline.
- Review: Applications are reviewed by expert panels; scores above 70 are recommended for awards.
Applicants can apply for up to three research opportunities but only one per sponsoring federal agency.
Additional Information
- Awards are for on-site research at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD.
- The program offers mentorship, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and professional development.
- Applicants should ensure all transcripts and documents are current and properly formatted.
- Health insurance is mandatory for the duration of the appointment.
- Relocation and travel allowances are provided.
- Feedback on application reviews is available approximately one week after panel decisions.
External Links
Contact Information