Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Base stipend approximately $83,592/year plus $3,000 travel allowance; supplements available for engineering doctorates and experience; typical award duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral and senior researchers can pursue innovative research on sensing and responding to chemicals and biological agents at the U.S. Army CCDC Chemical Biological Center, leveraging synthetic biology, chemical sensing, and biofabrication technologies.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens; requires contacting a Research Adviser prior to application; relocation and health insurance benefits provided.
Description
This fellowship opportunity is offered through the NRC Research Associateship Programs at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Chemical Biological Center (CBC), located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. The program supports fast-paced, interdisciplinary research involving synthetic biology, chemistry, and engineering focused on developing advanced methods to detect and respond to chemical and biological threats.
Research areas include:
- Colorimetric sensing arrays for volatile organic compounds, with data interpreted via smartphone applications.
- DNA data storage and transmission technologies.
- Covert tagging of high-security items using DNA barcodes.
- Synthetic biology and biofabrication approaches to create paper-based gene switches that sense and respond to environmental stimuli.
The Edgewood Chemical Biological Center offers a dynamic environment with access to full-scale bioprocessing, additive manufacturing, and chemical synthesis and characterization facilities, fostering innovative research collaborations.
Due Dates
- Application deadline: May 1, 2025 (5 PM ET)
Applications are reviewed in cycles, and this deadline corresponds to the spring review cycle with decisions typically finalized by early June.
Funding Amount
- Base stipend: Approximately $83,592 per year
- Travel allowance: $3,000 annually
- Supplements:
- $5,000 supplement for doctorates in Engineering & Computer Science
- $4,050 supplement per year of experience in DTRA CBD-funded NRC tenure at CCDC
- Stipends increase with years of post-PhD experience
- Typical award duration: 2-3 years
Additional benefits include paid relocation for awardees living more than 50 miles from the host lab (after six months tenure) and access to group health insurance for awardees and qualifying dependents.
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens only
- Applicant level: Open to Postdoctoral researchers (doctoral degree earned less than 5 years ago) and Senior researchers (doctoral degree earned at least 5 years ago or permanent appointment with significant research accomplishments)
- Applicants must have earned a Ph.D., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M., or equivalent research doctorate before starting tenure.
- Current or recent prior affiliation with the sponsoring agency may disqualify applicants.
- Applicants must contact the proposed Research Adviser before applying.
- Security clearance or background checks may be required depending on agency policies.
Application Process
- Identify Research Opportunity: Review the research focus and confirm eligibility.
- Contact Research Adviser: Discuss potential research projects and funding availability with the listed adviser (Peter A. Emanuel; peter.a.emanuel.civ@army.mil).
- Prepare Application Materials:
- Profile information including education history and transcripts (not required for senior applicants).
- Research proposal (up to 10 pages) detailing problem statement, background, methodology, expected results, and significance.
- Previous and current research description (up to 4 pages).
- List of publications and presentations (up to 2 pages).
- Letters of recommendation (minimum 3, including dissertation adviser for postdocs).
- Submit Application: Via the NRC RAP online system before the deadline.
- Review and Selection: Applications are reviewed by expert panels; scores above 70 typically recommended for awards.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring all letters of recommendation are submitted by the deadline. Letters must be uploaded by letter writers through the online system.
Additional Information
- The program encourages innovative, technically sound research that can be completed within 2-3 years.
- Research outcomes should contribute new knowledge publishable in peer-reviewed literature.
- The Edgewood Chemical Biological Center provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and a collaborative environment.
- Awardees must maintain health insurance coverage during tenure.
- Relocation assistance is available for those moving more than 50 miles.
- Applicants with prior NRC Research Associateships must have a two-year gap before applying again.
External Links
Contact Information
For application questions and eligibility clarifications, contact the NRC RAP Program Office at rap@nas.edu.