Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Approximately $99,200 per year; awards typically 1 year with possible renewals up to 3 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral research to develop a novel attention-driven cognitive architecture integrating multisensory perception, inference, and action, including robotic embodiment.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a recent doctoral degree; programming experience (Java, functional languages) and interdisciplinary knowledge required.
Description
This fellowship opportunity supports research aimed at creating a novel cognitive architecture that leverages attentional mechanisms to control perception, inference, and action in complex environments. The research focuses on multisensory integration, particularly combining visual and auditory inputs, and developing attentional strategies for inference across multiple tasks. Projects may also explore learning and recalling these strategies and implementing the architecture on robotic platforms.
Applicants are expected to synthesize knowledge from artificial intelligence, cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy. Strong programming skills, preferably in Java and functional programming languages, are required. Familiarity with parallel and distributed systems is advantageous.
The research is hosted at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and is part of the NRC Research Associateship Programs, which provide postdoctoral scientists with opportunities to conduct self-directed research aligned with federal laboratory goals.
Due Dates
- February 1, 2025 (5 PM ET)
- May 1, 2025 (5 PM ET)
- August 1, 2025 (5 PM ET)
- November 1, 2025 (5 PM ET)
If a deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it is moved to the next business day.
Funding Amount
- Stipend approximately $99,200 per year (varies by agency and location)
- Initial award duration is one year, with possible renewals for up to two additional years (total up to 3 years)
- Health insurance coverage required and partially subsidized
- Relocation assistance available for awardees moving more than 50 miles
- Annual travel allowance provided for conferences, meetings, or fieldwork
Eligibility
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Postdoctoral applicants only (doctoral degree earned less than 5 years before application deadline)
- Applicants must not have current or recent prior affiliation with the sponsoring agency that disqualifies eligibility (e.g., current employment or previous postdoctoral fellowship at the agency)
- Programming experience in Java and functional languages preferred
- Interdisciplinary background in AI, cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy is expected
- Applicants must have completed all degree requirements before starting tenure
Application Process
Steps to Apply
- Review eligibility criteria on the NRC RAP For Applicants page.
- Identify this and other research opportunities via the NRL Opportunities List.
- Contact the proposed Research Adviser listed for this opportunity to discuss your research proposal and funding 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 postdocs)
- Submit your application through the NRC RAP online system before the deadline.
- Notify and monitor your letter writers to ensure timely submission of recommendation letters.
Application Components
- Clear statement of the research problem and objectives
- Background and relevance to prior work
- Detailed methodology and timeline
- Description of any new or unusual methods
- Expected results and significance
- Literature cited
- References for letters of recommendation
Review Process
- Applications are reviewed by expert panels in relevant scientific disciplines.
- The proposed Research Adviser and Laboratory Program Representative must endorse the application.
- Applicants are scored on academic record, research proposal quality, and relevance to the sponsoring laboratory’s mission.
- Scores above 70 are recommended for awards; funding depends on availability.
Additional Information
- Awards are made for research conducted on-site at the Naval Research Laboratory.
- Renewals depend on mutual agreement and funding availability.
- Health insurance enrollment is mandatory.
- Applicants must comply with any security clearance requirements.
- Applicants with prior NRC Research Associateships must wait at least two years before applying again.
- Applicants can apply for up to three research opportunities per cycle but only one per sponsoring agency.
External Links
Contact Information