Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: $82,764 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship to develop quantum optomechanical sensors for precise, calibration-free measurement of temperature, pressure, and gas composition at the chip scale.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a Ph.D. earned within the last 5 years; applications require prior contact with the research adviser; NIST participates in February and August review cycles.
Description
This postdoctoral research opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) focuses on advancing quantum optomechanical systems designed for primary sensing of temperature, pressure, and gas composition. These optomechanical systems, either naturally occurring or engineered, interact with multiple external stimuli, enabling the development of chip-scale sensor suites capable of measuring various physical quantities with embedded traceability to SI units through their mass and intrinsic quantum noise.
A key challenge addressed by this research is the precise resolution of quantum noise or molecular collision events amidst room-temperature thermal backgrounds. Overcoming this requires innovative nanophotonic optomechanical system designs and enhanced interrogation schemes. Postdoctoral researchers will have the opportunity to pursue either of these research directions and explore new applications for calibration-free, chip-scale sensors.
The research is conducted within the Physical Measurement Laboratory, Sensor Science Division at NIST, located in Gaithersburg, MD.
Due Dates
- February 1, 2025 (NIST participates in this review cycle)
- May 1, 2025 (Current close date)
- August 1, 2025 (NIST participates in this review cycle)
Note: If a deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it is moved to the next business day.
Funding Amount
- Base stipend: $82,764 per year
- Travel allowance: $3,000 annually
- Typical appointment duration: 2 years
- No supplementation indicated
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens only
- Applicant level: Postdoctoral researchers who have earned a Ph.D., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M., or equivalent research doctorate within the last five years as of the application deadline
- Prior affiliation restrictions: Applicants with current or recent prior employment or postdoctoral fellowships at the sponsoring agency (NIST) may be ineligible; research collaborations are generally acceptable unless continuing the same project or adviser
- Security clearance: May be required depending on agency policies
- Health insurance: Required throughout tenure; group health insurance available with shared cost
Application Process
Steps to Apply
- Review eligibility for the NRC Research Associateship Programs and specific NIST requirements.
- Identify the research opportunity (Research Opportunity number: 50.68.51.C0848) and contact the proposed Research Adviser, Daniel Schaeder Barker (daniel.barker@nist.gov), to discuss research interests and funding availability.
- Prepare application materials, including:
- Profile information (contact, education, transcripts)
- Research proposal (maximum 10 pages) with sections on problem statement, background, methodology, new methods, 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)
- Submit application online via the NRC RAP application portal before the deadline.
- Notify letter writers to upload their recommendation letters by the deadline.
Application Requirements
- Transcripts must be current and uploaded (not required for senior applicants)
- Letters of recommendation must be uploaded by letter writers through the online system
- Applicants may apply to up to three research opportunities but only one per sponsoring federal agency
- Applications with incomplete or missing materials will not be reviewed
Review and Selection
- Applications are reviewed by expert panels in relevant scientific disciplines
- Each application is scored on a 100-point scale; scores above 70 are recommended for award
- Review criteria include academic record, letters, scientific merit, and host laboratory support
- Applicants receive reviewer feedback approximately one week after review finalization
- Award offers depend on ranking and available funding
Additional Information
- Awardees are eligible for relocation assistance if moving more than 50 miles to the host lab and staying at least six months
- Health insurance coverage is mandatory for all associates and dependents
- The program fosters professional growth through mentorship, access to facilities, and collaboration with leading scientists
- Applicants who do not receive an award may reapply; those recommended but unfunded may reapply without waiting
External Links
Contact Information
For general questions about the NRC Research Associateship Programs, contact the Fellowships Office at the National Academies via email or phone above.