Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Next deadline)
Funding Amounts: Stipend approximately $99,200 per year plus $3,000 travel allowance; relocation assistance available for eligible awardees.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship supporting research on heterogeneous integration techniques for advanced microscale inorganic optoelectronic devices with applications in photovoltaics, flexible/biocompatible electronics, and brain-computer interfaces.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; requires Ph.D. earned within last 5 years; research conducted onsite at Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC.
Description
This fellowship opportunity supports research at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focused on heterogeneous integration techniques for advanced microscale inorganic optoelectronic devices. The research aims to develop novel device architectures by mechanically stacking optoelectronic devices grown on dissimilar templates. Applications include:
- Higher performance stacked III-V photovoltaic devices
- Alternative III-V substrates with reduced cost or enhanced properties
- Flexible and biocompatible optoelectronics for wearable and implantable biological devices
- Multi-site, non-destructive brain-computer interface electronics with discrete read/write capabilities
The program seeks applicants interested in microscale optoelectronic device fabrication, micro-transfer printing for stacked devices, optoelectronic assembly in flexible/biocompatible packaging, molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) As/P epitaxial growth, neuroengineering, and materials/device characterization.
Due Dates
- Next application deadline: May 1, 2025, 5:00 PM ET
- Review finalized: Early June 2025
Applications are accepted in multiple cycles throughout the year; check the NRC RAP for Applicants for future deadlines.
Funding Amount
- Annual stipend: Approximately $99,200
- Travel allowance: $3,000 per year for conferences, meetings, or fieldwork
- Relocation assistance available for awardees relocating more than 50 miles to the host laboratory
- Health insurance available for awardees and qualifying dependents in the U.S.
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only
- Education: Must have earned a Ph.D., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M., or equivalent research doctorate 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 the sponsoring agency may be ineligible
- Research must be conducted onsite at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC
Application Process
Steps to Apply
- Review eligibility criteria on the NRC RAP For Applicants page.
- Identify this Research Opportunity (NRL RAP Opportunity number: 64.15.25.C0417).
- 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:
- Research proposal (max 10 pages) with clear problem statement, background, methodology, 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 your application via the NRC RAP online portal.
- Ensure all letters of recommendation are uploaded by letter writers before the deadline.
Application Requirements
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (not required for senior applicants)
- Research proposal must be original, innovative, and feasible within 2-3 years
- Letters of recommendation must be from qualified individuals not employed by the sponsoring agency unless they have served as mentors or collaborators during prior academic work
- Applications with incomplete or missing materials will not be reviewed
Additional Information
- Awardees must be enrolled in a health insurance plan during tenure; group health insurance is available through the program
- Relocation expenses reimbursed for those moving more than 50 miles and staying at least six months
- Annual travel allowance supports professional development activities
- Review process involves expert panels evaluating academic record, research merit, and fit with laboratory mission
- Feedback on application reviews is provided approximately one week after panel decisions
- Applicants may reapply if not selected, with some restrictions on timing depending on prior awards
External Links
Contact Information
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Research Adviser early to discuss research fit and application details. For general questions about the program or application process, contact the NRC RAP office.