New Sandia Truman Fellowship program seeks nation’s top postdoc talent

A prestigious postdoctoral research fellowship announced by Sandia offers the nation’s outstanding new PhDs in science and engineering an opportunity to conduct independent research of their own choosing within a national security context.

The President Harry S. Truman Research Fellowship in National Security Science and Engineering represents a continuation of Sandia’s long-standing practice of seeking out the best science and engineering talent in the nation to work on problems of pressing national interest.

Sandia has focus areas in biotechnology; chemical and earth sciences; computing, mathematics, and information sciences; electronics and photonics; microsystems and engineering sciences; manufacturing science and technology; materials sciences; pulsed power and directed energy; and robotics and intelligent systems. In addition, Sandia has primary responsibilities in the stewardship of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile and is playing an increasingly important role in R&D activities related to homeland security, counterterrorism, infrastructure surety, energy supply, and other current and emerging national security challenges.

Candidates for the fellowship may have expertise in any of the Labs’ research focus areas. They should have earned a PhD within the last three years (or will have completed a PhD by the time the appointment commences in October 2004). Applicants are expected to have solved a major scientific or engineering problem in their thesis work or will have provided a new approach or insight to a major problem, as demonstrated by a recognized impact in their field. Other eligibility criteria include US citizenship and the ability to obtain a DOE "Q" clearance. Applicants must be seeking their first national laboratory appointment.

In their application package, candidates should present a research proposal (of no more than 10 pages plus appendices) describing the scientific importance of the proposed work and a description of the research plan and data to be obtained. The proposal should be written for a broad technical audience. Application packages will be reviewed and candidates interviewed by a team of Sandia senior scientists and engineers. Final selection will be made by the Chief Technology Officer of Sandia.

Sandia’s Truman Fellowship honors the memory of President Harry Truman, who challenged Sandia at its founding as an independent laboratory in 1949 to provide "exceptional service in the national interest."

Says Laboratory S&T manager Chuck Meyers, "We want to attract the top researchers and provide an environment where they can build a laboratory, work in a strong team setting, and create the new science and engineering the nation needs to address the national security challenges of the 21st century. The flexibility to pursue any line of research that fits within Sandia’s national security mission space represents an unparalleled opportunity to develop truly new and innovative ideas. Truman Fellows also have the potential to advance those ideas through development and testing by collaborating with Sandia’s major programs."

The Truman Fellowship is a three-year appointment generally commencing on Oct. 1, although exceptions can be made to accommodate special circumstances. Application deadline for the 2004 Truman Fellowship is Dec. 31, 2003. The salary is highly competitive, reflecting the nature of the position(s) and may be adjusted annually.

The number of appointments per year is limited. Candidates not selected as Truman Fellows may be considered for other employment opportunities within the Labs.