Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline)
Funding Amounts: Base stipend approximately $67,000/year plus $3,000 travel allowance; supplements based on experience; typical fellowship duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral and senior researchers to conduct digital engineering and model-based systems engineering research on naval systems and missions at the Naval Postgraduate School.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and non-U.S. citizens; relocation and health insurance benefits included; requires contacting a research adviser prior to applying.
Description
This fellowship opportunity, offered through the NRC Research Associateship Programs, supports research at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) focused on digital model-based engineering of naval systems and their missions. The Department of Defense (DoD) has mandated digital engineering (DE) as a strategic imperative for designing, developing, delivering, operating, and sustaining defense systems.
Research topics include:
- Utilizing model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and digital engineering environments such as Cameo/MagicDraw, System Composer, ModelCenter, and Innoslate to build system or mission architectures.
- Connecting these architectures with simulation environments like NSS, MAST, and AFSIM to provide operational context.
- Integrating models from domain-specific tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, finite element analysis software, or AI/ML data-based models to ensure high fidelity.
- Exploring generative AI to automate or accelerate systems and mission design.
The ultimate goal is to develop executable, high-fidelity architectures and experimentable digital twins of naval systems and their missions to meet DoD objectives.
Key terms: Model-Based Systems Engineering, Digital Engineering, Executable Architectures, Digital Twins.
Due Dates
- Application Deadline: May 1, 2025 (5 PM ET)
Note: If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it is moved to the next business day.
Funding Amount
- Base stipend: $67,000 per year
- Travel allowance: $3,000 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 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.
- 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 (doctoral degree earned less than 5 years ago) and senior researchers (doctoral degree earned at least 5 years ago or with permanent appointment and significant research accomplishments).
- Prior Affiliation: Applicants with current or recent prior affiliation with the sponsoring agency may be ineligible; consult eligibility criteria.
- Security Clearance: Some awards may require satisfactory completion of security checks or clearances.
- Applicants must contact the proposed Research Adviser before applying.
Application Process
Steps to Apply
- Review eligibility criteria on the NRC RAP website and specific agency requirements.
- Identify this research opportunity at the Naval Postgraduate School.
- Contact the Research Adviser (Oleg A. Yakimenko, oayakime@nps.edu, 831-656-2826) to discuss research projects and funding availability.
- Prepare application materials including:
- Profile information (contact, education, transcripts for postdocs)
- Research proposal (max 10 pages) with sections on problem statement, background, methodology, expected results, and significance
- Previous and current research description (max 4 pages)
- List of publications and presentations (max 2 pages)
- Letters of recommendation (minimum 3, including dissertation adviser for postdocs)
- Submit application via the NRC RAP online system by May 1, 2025, 5 PM ET.
Important Notes
- Letters of recommendation must be uploaded by letter writers through the online system by the deadline.
- Applicants may apply to up to three different NRC RAP opportunities but only one per sponsoring federal agency.
- Applications are reviewed by expert panels; scoring above 70 typically leads to award recommendations.
- Applicants receive reviewer feedback approximately one week after review finalization.
Additional Information
- Relocation assistance is available for awardees moving more than 50 miles to the host lab.
- Health insurance coverage is available for awardees and qualifying dependents.
- The fellowship provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and mentorship at NPS.
- The program aims to foster professional growth and enhance career prospects in academia, industry, or government research.
- Applicants with prior NRC Research Associateships must wait at least two years before applying again.
External Links
Contact Information