The National Research Council of the National Academies announces the 2008 Postdoctoral and Senior Research Associateship Programs to be conducted on behalf of over 120 research laboratories throughout the U.S. representing nearly all U.S. government agencies with research facilities.  The programs provide opportunities for Ph.D., Sc.D. or M.D. scientists and engineers of unusual promise and ability to perform research on problems largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research interests of the sponsoring laboratory.  Initiated in 1954, the Associateship Programs have contributed to the career development of more than 11,000 scientists and engineers ranging from Ph.D. recipients to distinguished senior scientists.

Full-time Associateships will be awarded on a competitive basis in 2008 for research in the fields of chemistry, earth and atmospheric sciences, engineering, applied sciences and computer science, life and medical sciences, mathematics, space and planetary sciences and physics.  Many of the laboratories are open to both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, and to both recent doctoral recipients and senior investigators.

Postdoctoral awards are made for one or two years, renewable for a maximum of three years; senior applicants who have held the doctorate at least five years may receive awards for shorter periods.  Annual stipends for recent Ph.D. recipients for the 2008 program year range from $41,000 to $70,000 depending upon the sponsoring laboratory, and are appropriately higher for senior award recipients.

Contact with the research adviser/mentor at the proposed sponsoring laboratory, including discussion of the proposed project, is necessary to submitting a formal application to the NRC. Application deadlines are Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1. 

Detailed information including how to apply is available at www.national-academies.org/rap Questions can be directed to National Research Council, rap@nas.edu.