Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Stipend approximately $82,764 per year plus $3,000 travel allowance; 2-year term appointments at NIST.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral research at NIST developing next generation sequencing (NGS) assays, bioinformatics, and data interpretation models for forensic applications including human identification and microbe strain analysis.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree earned within the last 5 years; applications require prior contact with NIST advisers; NIST participates in February and August review cycles only.
Description
This fellowship opportunity is offered by the Applied Genetics Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the NRC Research Associateship Programs. It focuses on advancing forensic science through the development and testing of next generation sequencing (NGS) assays targeting forensic markers. NGS, also known as Massively Parallel Sequencing, has transformed molecular genetics and clinical diagnostics and is now being applied to forensic investigations.
Research projects supported by this fellowship aim to:
- Improve human identification capabilities.
- Predict unknown individuals’ ancestry, hair and eye color, and age.
- Develop non-human forensic applications such as microbial strain identification relevant to bioterrorism cases.
- Create bioinformatic methods and data interpretation models tailored for forensic use.
The fellowship provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and mentorship from leading scientists in forensic genetics.
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)
Note: NIST participates only in the February and August review cycles.
Funding Amount
- Annual stipend: Approximately $82,764
- Annual travel allowance: $3,000
- Duration: Typically 2-year term appointments at NIST
Eligibility
- Citizenship: U.S. citizens only.
- Education: Applicants must have earned a Ph.D., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M., or equivalent research doctorate before starting 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 NIST may be ineligible.
- Security: Some awards may require security clearance or National Agency Check.
- Applicants must contact the proposed Research Adviser at NIST prior to applying.
Application Process
Steps to Apply
- Review eligibility criteria on the NRC RAP website.
- Identify this Research Opportunity (NIST opportunity code 50.64.51.B8331).
- Contact one or both of the NIST advisers to discuss your research proposal and funding availability:
- Prepare application materials including:
- Research proposal (max 10 pages)
- Previous and current research description
- List of publications and presentations
- Letters of recommendation (minimum 3, including dissertation adviser)
- Register and submit your application via the NRC RAP online portal.
- Ensure all letters of recommendation are uploaded by the deadline.
Application Materials
- Profile information (contact, education, transcripts)
- Research proposal with clear problem statement, methodology, expected results, and significance
- Letters of recommendation uploaded by referees through the online system
- Transcripts (required for postdoctoral applicants)
- Compliance with formatting and submission guidelines
Review and Selection
- Applications are reviewed by expert panels in relevant scientific disciplines.
- The proposed Research Adviser and NIST program representatives review and endorse applications before panel review.
- Scoring is on a 100-point scale; scores above 70 are recommended for awards.
- Funding decisions consider scientific merit, feasibility, and alignment with NIST’s mission.
Additional Information
- Health insurance coverage is required throughout the tenure.
- Relocation assistance is available for awardees moving more than 50 miles.
- Annual travel allowance supports conference attendance and fieldwork.
- Applicants can apply to up to three Research Opportunities but only one per federal agency.
- Applicants with prior NRC Research Associateships must wait two years before reapplying.
External Links
Contact Information