Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline)
Funding Amounts: $99,200 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; relocation assistance and health insurance available. Typical award duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship supporting research on nonlinear plasma physics, including plasma turbulence and nonlinear wave-particle interactions, with applications in space and laboratory plasmas.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; requires Ph.D. earned within 5 years; applicants must contact Research Adviser prior to applying.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focuses on advancing the understanding of nonlinear plasma physics processes, emphasizing the kinetic nature of plasmas. Research areas include nonlinear coherent wave processes (such as nonlinear wave-particle interactions) and plasma turbulence (both strong and weak). The program encourages extending analytical formulations, developing efficient numerical methods, conducting first-principles kinetic simulations, and observing these phenomena in both space and laboratory plasmas.
Applications of this research span ionospheric wave propagation, Earth's Radiation Belts, solar wind plasmas, laser plasma interactions, beam plasma instabilities, space weather modeling, and dusty plasma phenomena in the solar corona and laboratory settings.
Awardees will conduct self-directed research aligned with the goals of the Naval Research Laboratory, benefiting from mentorship, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and collaboration with leading scientists.
Due Dates
- Application Deadline: May 1, 2025 (5:00 PM ET)
Funding Amount
- Base stipend: $99,200 per year
- Travel allowance: $3,000 annually to support conferences, meetings, or fieldwork
- Relocation assistance available for awardees moving more than 50 miles to the host lab
- Health insurance coverage available for awardees and qualifying dependents in the U.S.
- Typical award duration: 2-3 years
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only
- Education: Applicants must have earned a Ph.D. 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
- Prior affiliation: Applicants with current or recent prior employment or postdoctoral fellowships at the sponsoring agency may be ineligible; research collaborations are generally acceptable unless continuing the same project or adviser
- Applicants must contact the proposed Research Adviser before applying
Application Process
Steps to Apply
- Review eligibility criteria on the NRC RAP website.
- Identify this and other research opportunities via the NRL Opportunities List.
- Contact the Research Adviser (Chris E Crabtree: christopher.e.crabtree.civ@us.navy.mil, 202-767-6644) to discuss research plans and funding availability.
- Prepare application materials including:
- Research proposal (max 10 pages) with sections on problem statement, background, methodology, expected results, and significance.
- Curriculum vitae, transcripts (postdocs only), list of publications, and letters of recommendation (minimum 3, including dissertation adviser).
- Submit application via the NRC RAP online portal: Apply Now.
- Ensure all letters of recommendation are uploaded by the deadline.
Application Components
- Profile information (contact, education, employment, honors)
- Research proposal and abstract with keywords
- Letters of recommendation (must be from eligible letter writers)
- Transcripts (postdoctoral applicants only)
- Previous and current research description and publication list
Review and Selection
- Applications are reviewed by expert panels in physics and related fields.
- The Research Adviser and Laboratory Program Representative provide initial endorsement.
- Reviewers score applications on scientific merit, feasibility, and applicant qualifications.
- Scores above 70 typically receive award recommendations.
- Funding decisions consider rank and available slots.
Additional Information
- Awardees must maintain health insurance coverage during tenure.
- Relocation expenses reimbursed for those moving over 50 miles.
- Travel funds support professional development activities.
- Applicants with prior NRC Research Associateships must wait at least two years before reapplying.
- Applicants are responsible for ensuring complete and timely submission of all materials.
External Links
Contact Information
For general questions about the NRC Research Associateship Programs or application assistance, contact the Fellowships Office at rap@nas.edu or call 202-334-2760.