Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline)
Funding Amounts: Base stipend approximately $58,000 plus $2,000 travel allowance; experience-based supplements available; typical award duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral and senior researchers conducting underwater environmental acoustics research at NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, focusing on ocean processes monitoring and acoustic impact on marine life.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and non-U.S. citizens; relocation and health insurance benefits included; requires contacting a NOAA research adviser prior to application.
Description
This fellowship opportunity is offered through the NRC Research Associateship Programs in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), specifically at the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) located in Newport, Oregon. Since 1991, PMEL has utilized passive underwater acoustics to monitor diverse oceanic processes. The research leverages hydrophones from fixed, cabled arrays such as the U.S. Navy’s SOund SUrveillance System (SOSUS) and portable autonomous hydrophone moorings developed in-house.
Research areas include:
- Continuous monitoring of volcanic activity at the Juan de Fuca Ridge
- Pacific-wide surveillance of low-level seismicity
- Interpretation of underwater landslides
- Study of movement and behavior of large marine mammals
- Long-term monitoring of natural and anthropogenic sound sources in the ocean to assess acoustic impacts on marine life
Future plans emphasize expanding monitoring capabilities to the global ocean and increasing focus on the effects of ocean noise. The research team comprises scientists, engineers, mathematicians, computer specialists, field technicians, and data analysts who work with real-time acoustic data streams.
This fellowship provides opportunities to exploit existing acoustic datasets for environmental science applications and to contribute to the development of large-scale technology for expanding the acoustic monitoring network globally.
Due Dates
- Application Deadline: May 1, 2025 (5:00 PM ET)
Funding Amount
- Base stipend: $58,000 per year
- Travel allowance: $2,000 per year
- Experience-based stipend supplements available for postdoctoral and senior researchers
- Typical award duration: 2-3 years
- Additional benefits include relocation assistance for those living more than 50 miles from the host lab and access to group health insurance for awardees and qualifying dependents in the U.S.
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and non-U.S. citizens (subject to agency-specific security clearance requirements)
- Education: Applicants must have earned a Ph.D., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M., or equivalent research doctorate before beginning tenure
- Career stage: Open to postdoctoral researchers (within 5 years of doctorate) and senior researchers (5+ years post-degree or established investigators)
- Prior or current affiliation with NOAA or PMEL may affect eligibility; applicants should verify with the Fellowships Office
- Applicants must contact the designated Research Adviser prior to applying
Application Process
- Identify the research opportunity and contact the NOAA Research Adviser (Robert P. Dziak: robert.p.dziak@noaa.gov, phone: 541-270-0199) to discuss research plans and funding availability
- Prepare application materials including:
- Profile information (contact, education, transcripts for postdocs)
- 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)
- Submit application via the NRC RAP online system before the deadline
- Letters of recommendation must be uploaded by letter writers through the online system by the deadline
- Applications are reviewed by expert panels; scoring above 70 typically leads to award recommendations
- Awardees must enroll in health insurance and may receive relocation support if applicable
Additional Information
- The fellowship is hosted at NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Newport, OR
- Research focuses on advancing understanding of underwater acoustics and its environmental impacts
- The program encourages innovative, technically sound research feasible within the award period
- Applicants should review the NRC RAP Applicant Guide and eligibility criteria carefully
- Security clearance or National Agency Check may be required depending on applicant status and agency policies
- Feedback on application reviews is provided approximately one week after panel decisions
External Links
Contact Information