Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Approx. $82,764 stipend for a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship at NIST
Summary: Supports postdoctoral research developing quantitative optical molecular imaging tools for intraoperative visualization to aid minimally invasive surgeries.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a recent doctoral degree; requires contacting a Research Adviser prior to application; research conducted at NIST facilities.
Description
This postdoctoral fellowship opportunity supports research focused on developing and applying quantitative optical molecular imaging tools to improve intraoperative visualization during minimally invasive surgeries. The project aims to overcome the loss of haptic feedback in such surgeries by enhancing surgeons' ability to visualize and measure the extent of disease in vivo using advanced optical and radiometric techniques.
The research involves measurement science dedicated to quantitative in vivo light imaging, including the use of chromophores conjugated to ligands that bind to disease markers. These chromophores may be bioluminescent, fluorescent, or other optical discriminants that enhance signal detection. The fellowship offers access to a well-equipped optical and radiometry laboratory with lasers, cameras, tunable light sources and filters, spectrometers, image processing software, and computational imaging tools. Clinical partnerships provide opportunities for prototype deployment, data collection, and image processing in collaboration with medical clinics.
The project is ideal for postdoctoral researchers interested in optical imaging, radiometry, measurement science, and clinical translation of imaging technologies.
Due Dates
- February 1, 2025 (February review participation)
- August 1, 2025 (August review participation)
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET on these dates. If a deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it is moved to the next business day.
Funding Amount
- Stipend approximately $82,764 for a two-year term
- Health insurance coverage is required and partially subsidized
- Relocation assistance available for awardees moving more than 50 miles
- Annual travel allowance provided to support conferences and fieldwork
Eligibility
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Postdoctoral applicants only (doctoral degree earned less than 5 years before application deadline)
- Must not have current or recent prior affiliation with NIST that disqualifies eligibility (e.g., current employment or previous NRC fellowship at NIST)
- Research must be conducted on-site at NIST duty stations
- Applicants must have completed all degree requirements before starting tenure
- Letter writers cannot be employed by NIST unless they have served as mentors or collaborators during the applicant’s prior academic or research training
Application Process
Steps to Apply
- Review eligibility criteria on the NRC RAP for Applicants page.
- Identify this Research Opportunity at NIST (Opportunity page).
- Contact the proposed Research Adviser to discuss your research interests and confirm availability.
- Prepare application materials including:
- Research proposal (max 10 pages)
- Previous and current research description (max 4 pages)
- List of publications and presentations (max 2 pages)
- Letters of recommendation (minimum 3, including dissertation adviser)
- Transcripts (for postdoctoral applicants)
- Register and submit your application via the NRC RAP online system (Apply Now) before the deadline.
- Notify your letter writers to upload their recommendation letters by the deadline.
Application Components
- Profile information (contact, education, employment, honors)
- Research proposal with clear statement of problem, background, methodology, expected results, and significance
- Letters of recommendation uploaded by referees
- Transcripts (postdoctoral applicants only)
Review Process
- Applications are reviewed by expert panels in relevant scientific disciplines.
- The Research Adviser and NIST program representatives review and endorse applications before panel review.
- Applicants are scored on academic record, research proposal quality, letters of recommendation, and fit with NIST mission.
- Scores above 70 are recommended for awards; funding depends on rank and availability.
Additional Information
- Awards are for two-year appointments at NIST.
- Health insurance is mandatory and partially subsidized.
- Relocation and travel allowances are provided.
- Applicants with prior NRC awards must have a two-year gap before reapplying.
- Feedback on reviews is provided approximately one week after panel decisions.
- Applications with incomplete materials or insufficient letters will not be reviewed.
- All application materials become property of the National Academies and are not returned.
External Links
Contact Information
This fellowship is an excellent opportunity for postdoctoral researchers specializing in optical imaging, biomedical optics, radiometry, or related fields who seek to advance quantitative intraoperative visualization technologies in a collaborative federal laboratory environment.