Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Base stipend approximately $82,764/year with $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship at NIST to conduct research on trace element speciation in biological and clinical systems using advanced tandem analytical and X-ray spectroscopy techniques.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree earned within the last 5 years; requires contacting a NIST Research Adviser prior to application.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) focuses on the elemental speciation of trace elements in clinical and biological systems. The chemical form of trace elements critically influences their biological and clinical functions, making it essential to identify and quantify these species to understand their roles.
Research projects supported under this program emphasize the development and application of tandem analytical methods and X-ray spectroscopy techniques to investigate bio-inorganic elemental species, whether free or bound to proteins or other molecular entities. Fellows will have access to state-of-the-art instrumentation, including:
- High-resolution magnetic sector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
- Collision-cell quadrupole ICP-MS
- Various chromatographic separation systems coupled with organic mass spectrometry for protein characterization
- Beamline 6-BM at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) for X-ray spectroscopy research through collaboration within the Material Measurement Laboratory
This program is part of the NRC Research Associateship Programs, which provide postdoctoral scientists with opportunities to conduct self-directed research aligned with federal laboratory goals, gain mentorship, and access advanced facilities.
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
- Base stipend: Approximately $82,764 per year
- Travel allowance: $3,000 annually
- Typical appointment duration: 2 years
- Supplementation may be available depending on the sponsoring agency
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens only
- Education: Applicants 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
- Affiliation Restrictions: Applicants with current or recent prior employment or postdoctoral fellowships at NIST may be ineligible; research collaborations are generally acceptable unless continuing with the same adviser or project
- Other: Applicants must contact a NIST Research Adviser prior to applying to discuss research projects and funding availability
Application Process
Steps to Apply
- Review Eligibility: Confirm eligibility on the NRC RAP website and specific NIST criteria.
- Identify Research Opportunity: Search for the NIST Research Opportunity number 50.64.63.B5547.
- Contact Adviser: Reach out to one of the listed NIST Research Advisers to discuss your research proposal and confirm support.
- Prepare Application Materials:
- Profile information including education history and transcripts (postdocs must upload transcripts)
- Research proposal (maximum 10 pages) including:
- Statement of the problem
- Background and relevance
- Methodology
- New or unusual methods
- Expected results and significance
- Literature cited
- Letters of recommendation (minimum 3, including dissertation adviser for postdocs)
- Submit Application: Apply through the NRC RAP online portal before the deadline.
- Monitor Letters: Notify and monitor letter submissions via the online system.
Important Notes
- Letters of recommendation must be uploaded by letter writers via the online system by the deadline.
- Applications missing required letters or materials will not be reviewed.
- Applicants can apply for up to three research opportunities but only one per sponsoring federal agency.
- Review feedback is provided approximately one week after panel decisions.
Additional Information
- Health insurance enrollment is required throughout the tenure.
- Relocation assistance is available for awardees moving more than 50 miles.
- Annual travel allowance supports conference attendance and fieldwork.
- Awards are made based on scientific merit, feasibility, and alignment with NIST’s mission.
- The program encourages professional growth and networking with leading scientists.
External Links
Contact Information