DHS Science and Technology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
2008 Competition Guidelines

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ANNOUNCEMENT:

The April 15, 2008 deadline for appointments starting June through December has been extended indefinitely. Interested applicants should continue to explore opportunities they are developing on their own in collaboration with federal research facilities and review the list of projects and research topics on this web site. This list is updated as new hosting facilities are added. Applications will be accepted and appointment start dates are flexible. Interested hosting facilities should continue to submit projects and research topics as instructed on this web site.

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Program Description

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, Office of University Programs is seeking applications for Postdoctoral Fellows to conduct research at DHS affiliated venues, such as DHS laboratories, DHS Centers of Excellence, and DOE national laboratories with homeland security research capabilities.

The intent of the DHS S&T Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is to provide postdoctoral scientists and engineers of unusual promise and ability opportunities for research on problems compatible with the research interests and mission of DHS.

These awards provide opportunities that enable Fellows to increase their proficiency in conducting research and advance the DHS research programs of the hosting facilities. The host facility will benefit from the presence of highly motivated Fellows with significant research potential who will provide fresh perspectives and new ideas. Most importantly, the research opportunity will promote long-term collaborative relationships between DHS Postdoctoral Fellows, DHS laboratories, DHS Centers of Excellence, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories, and other federal research facilities.

DHS has partnered with Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) to manage the application and review process, notification, and implementation of the program. DHS will review applications and make final award selections. DHS reserves the right to make no awards and, in the absence of program funding or for any other reason, to cancel this program. DHS assumes no liability for canceling the program or for anyone’s failure to receive actual notification of cancellation.

Research must be conducted on site at the assigned facility. It is anticipated that the research undertaken by the Fellows will be unclassified.

Eligibility

• You must be a U.S. citizen as of the application deadline.
• You must have a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree, before beginning the fellowship, in a homeland security science, technology, engineering or mathematics (HS-STEM) field with a focus in one of the homeland security research areas:
  • Explosives Detection, Mitigation and Response
  • Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
  • Risk and Decision Sciences
  • Human Factors Aspects of Technology
  • Chemical Threats and Countermeasures
  • Biological Threats and Countermeasures
  • Food and Agriculture Security
  • Transportation Security
  • Border Security
  • Immigration Studies
  • Maritime and Port Security
  • Infrastructure Protection
  • Natural Disasters and Related Geophysical Studies
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • Communications and Interoperability
  • Advanced Data Analysis and Visualization
• Some facilities may require a security clearance before you start your appointment. You will be notified in advance if a clearance is required.
• Only applicants who have held the doctoral degree less than five years at the time of application will be eligible.
• You are not eligible if you have previously held a fellowship in the DHS S&T Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, including the DHS Postdoctoral Research Associateship Program previously administered by the National Research Council.

Award and Conditions

• Appointments are for one year, with the possibility of renewal for one additional year, subject to DHS approval and availability of funding.
• Fellows receive an annual stipend rate equivalent to the Federal GS-12, Step 1 including locality pay, for the first year of appointment. Stipend rates will increase by 3% for each renewal year.
• Fellows receive a supplement to their stipend to offset the cost of health insurance.
• Fellows receive a travel allowance of no more than $3,500 per year for professional travel that is relevant to the fellowship.
• Fellows are expected to devote 100 percent effort to the research program approved by the hosting facility. The fellowship opportunity is expected to provide a stimulating intellectual experience, and activities that would detract from concentrating exclusively on the research program, such as part-time teaching or other work, are not permitted.
• As a guest investigator, the Fellow is expected to conform to all host facility policies pertaining to his or her status. Fellows are not employees of DHS, the host facility, or ORISE, and are expected to conform to all established policies of the hosting facility for guest investigators.
• Fellows normally take the holidays recognized at the host facility; however, they do not receive or earn “annual leave” as such. If you do need to take time off because of illness or for other reasons, you are responsible for obtaining the approval of your hosting facility advisor in advance of your absence. The approval of such absences is at the discretion of your advisor. These absences should not exceed one day per month, and will be less than that in most cases. In rare cases where permission for absence in excess of this limit is requested, ORISE must be contacted to explain the circumstances and seek approval.
• Whenever, if in the opinion of the Research Advisor, the Fellow is not making reasonable progress because of absenteeism, the award may be terminated.
• No additional monetary aid or other remuneration for personal services may be accepted from another appointment, fellowship, or similar resource during the period of the Fellowship.
• Fellows will not be considered employees of DHS, ORISE, or the hosting facility. State and Federal taxes, social security, workers compensation or Medicare taxes with not be withheld from the stipend payments. The extent of state or federal tax liability on the stipend is a matter for settlement between the Fellow and the appropriate income tax authority. Travel and relocation expense reimbursements for Fellows will not be reported to the IRS by ORISE.
• Fellows will be offered reimbursement for in-bound travel expenses to the vicinity of the hosting facility from their location at the time of application. An appropriate reimbursement for relocation expenses, not to exceed $1500, will be provided by ORISE for each Fellow. If the Fellow does not participate for 12 months, the in-bound travel expenses must be repaid in full.

Application Process

• Review the research opportunities to identify research areas and advisors that match your interests and abilities. You are responsible for contacting the Research Advisor listed in the research opportunity to ensure interest, project availability, and to discuss potential research projects in the proposed area of research. Postdoctoral Fellowship applicants may also work with facilities directly to establish collaborative projects.
• You must submit a research proposal that relates to a specific opportunity for research. A proposal must be your original work and be coordinated with the Research Advisor listed in the opportunity.
• Your application package must include the following:
  • Application form
  • Research Experience - a concise description of all investigations, stating where, when, and with whom they were conducted
  • A list of publications, in the following order: refereed journal articles, books, published proceedings, non-refereed articles, and patents
  • Research proposal, to include:
    • Title of proposal
    • Brief abstract (maximum one page)
    • Statement of the problem
    • Relevance to one (or more) of the 16 DHS research areas
    • Background and relevance to previous work
    • General methodology and procedure
    • Explanation of new or unusual techniques
    • Expected results and their significance and application
    • Literature citations where appropriate
  • Dissertation abstract
  • Official copies of graduate transcripts, sent directly from the granting institution to the address below
  • Three references, including one from your dissertation thesis advisor
  • Research facility review form

There are two application cycles. Please note that the date below is a postmark deadline, not a receipt deadline. There is no need to send information via overnight or special delivery.

• All application materials are due on the following dates:
  April 15 – for appointments starting June through December
  September 15 – for appointments starting January through May

We will not accept materials via fax or as e-mail attachments. Do not send duplicate items via fax or e-mail. Do not submit off-prints, manuscripts, video tapes, slides, photographs, or other extraneous materials. Extraneous items will not be used in the review of your application.

• Submit a completed application package directly to the ORISE at the address below.
• Have your graduate institution and three references submit materials in hard copy to the address below:
  
  ORISE
  DHS Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, MS 36
  PO Box 117
  Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117

Requirements of Appointment

• The full time fellowship will take place at the assigned research facility.
• The Fellow will submit a 6-month report directly to ORISE. This report will summarize the research performed since the Fellow’s arrival at the host facility, the support provided by the host facility, any problems encountered in starting the research, and the research plan for the remainder of the appointment.
• The Fellow will submit a Final Report shortly before the end of the tenure period.
• Fellows will strive to publish research results in appropriate refereed journals giving proper credit to DHS and others, as appropriate. Guidance on the language to be used will be provided to Fellow at the time of appointment.

Evaluation Process

Applications will be evaluated by both the host facility and DHS based on four major elements. The final selection of Fellows will be made by DHS.

Reviewers provide an overall rating based on the following:

• Scientific Merit of the Proposed Research
  Reviewers will evaluate the importance of the proposed research area, technical soundness of the work plan, innovative aspects of the proposal, feasibility of success, and contribution of the research to the mission of DHS.
• Reference Reports or Letters of Recommendation
  The best reference reports come from those who know the applicant well on a professional level and can make an informed judgment about the applicant’s scholarly abilities.
• Academic and Research Record
  Reviewers will evaluate the appropriateness of the applicant’s training for the proposed research project and previous research experience. A transcript of academic record is required.
• Hosting Facility Evaluation
  The proposed Advisor from the hosting facility will provide comments on the suitability of the applicant’s proposed research and the value of the proposed research to the hosting facility.

Other Important Notes

• No commitment on the part of the Fellow, DHS, or the hosting facility with regard to later employment is implied or should be inferred by the offer or acceptance of the DHS Postdoctoral Fellowship.
• Fellows are considered guest investigators and are subject to DHS regulations governing scientists, engineers, and other professionals to determine their access to the host facility.
• Health-insurance is required for all participants.
• Participation in the program is contingent upon the Fellow obtaining the proper clearance, if required. Depending on the site, the Fellow may be subject to the issuance of a visit authorization clearance and may not be allowed at the host facility until security access approval is given.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal records check and other background investigations conducted by the U.S. Government. These inquiries are conducted to develop information to assess various factors about the applicant, including reliability, trustworthiness, honesty, integrity, character, conduct and loyalty to the United States.
• All applicants must have full command of the English language.
• This is an equal opportunity program open to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, and physical or mental disability.