Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Typical stipend around $95,000 plus $5,000 travel allowance; supplements based on experience; 2-3 year fellowship duration.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral and senior research fellowships focused on advancing nanocomputing architectures through nanoscale system manipulation, nanosubstrate interactions, and novel system design.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens; requires Ph.D. or equivalent; relocation and health insurance benefits included; application requires contacting a research adviser prior to applying.
Description
This fellowship opportunity supports research into novel computing architectures using nanotechnology, particularly addressing the challenges of scaling CMOS technology into the nanometer scale. The program focuses on emerging alternative technologies that promise self-assembly and scalability, such as carbon nanotubes, molecule-based electronics, and complex nanoscale computing devices.
Research areas of interest include:
- Developing novel approaches to examine, interrogate, and manipulate physical aspects (structural, electro-mechanical) of nanoscale systems.
- Creating new protocols to investigate and exploit nanosubstrate interactions, including adhesion, preferential attachment, and structural analysis.
- Designing and demonstrating architectures and systems that integrate nanometer-scale control and atomic-level expertise with the unique properties of electronic, chemical, electrochemical, and nanomaterials.
The fellowship is hosted at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate in Rome, NY, under the Air Force Science and Technology Fellowship Program (AF STFP).
Due Dates
- Application Deadline: May 1, 2025 (5:00 PM ET)
Applications are reviewed in cycles, with feedback provided approximately one week after review completion.
Funding Amount
- Base stipend: $95,000 per year
- Travel allowance: $5,000 per year
- Experience-based stipend supplements available for postdoctoral and senior researchers
- Typical fellowship duration: 2-3 years
- Additional benefits include relocation assistance for those moving more than 50 miles and health insurance coverage for awardees and dependents.
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens only.
- Education: Applicants must have earned a Ph.D., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M., or an equivalent research doctorate before beginning tenure.
- Experience Levels:
- Postdoctoral applicants: Must have held the doctorate for less than five years as of the application deadline.
- Senior applicants: Must have held a doctorate for at least five years or have a permanent appointment with significant research accomplishments.
- Prior or current employment or postdoctoral fellowships at the sponsoring agency may disqualify applicants.
- Applicants must not have ongoing or recent affiliation with the sponsoring federal agency that would conflict with eligibility.
- Security clearance or National Agency Check may be required depending on the agency.
Application Process
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Identify Research Opportunity
Search for the Nanocomputing opportunity under the NRC Research Associateship Programs and confirm eligibility.
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Contact Research Adviser
Applicants must contact the designated Research Adviser (Joseph E. Van Nostrand, JOSEPH.VANNOSTRAND.1@US.AF.MIL) before applying to discuss research plans and funding availability.
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Prepare Application Materials
- Profile information including education history and transcripts (postdocs only).
- 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).
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Submit Application Online
Applications are submitted through the NRC RAP online portal. Only one application per sponsoring federal agency is allowed per cycle.
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Review and Selection
Applications are reviewed by expert panels in relevant disciplines. Scores above 70 typically receive award recommendations. Final funding decisions depend on rank and agency priorities.
Additional Information
- Awardees must maintain health insurance coverage during tenure.
- Relocation assistance is provided for those moving more than 50 miles.
- Annual travel allowance supports conference attendance and fieldwork.
- Applicants with prior NRC Research Associateships must wait at least two years before applying again.
- Letters of recommendation must be uploaded by letter writers via the online system by the deadline.
- Applicants are responsible for ensuring all materials are complete and submitted on time.
External Links
Contact Information