Postdoctoral Fellow
· Department of the Air Force
This job in plain English
The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is hiring a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Engineering Physics at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. It is a full-time term job of up to 366 days, which may be extended up to 3 years, that centers on research and mentoring AFIT students. There are few openings, and the announcement is open continuous with periodic cut-off dates.
It may close early. This is an open continuous announcement with an initial cut-off date of 30 Aug 2026, then every 30 days after that. Applicants who apply after a cut-off date are considered only if no one is selected from the earlier group or more openings occur.
Can you apply?
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.
- Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.
Only U.S. citizens may apply, and citizenship is required at the time of application. Veterans' preference is not required, and the job is open to the public.
What you would do
- Solve research problems and design and run studies.
- Partner with your research mentor to plan group research projects.
- Guide AFIT students on their investigations in informal settings.
- Collaborate with faculty inside and outside your field.
- Prepare manuscripts, proposal help, and funding reports.
- Present research at conferences, program reviews, and sponsor meetings.
Do you qualify for AD-21?
With experience: The announcement does not give a number of years or a grade level. Your record of scholarship must show you can conduct and share research, mentor graduate students, and work with other researchers. Part-time and unpaid work, including volunteer work, counts if you list the duties and hours per week.
With education: An earned doctoral degree in a field such as physics, applied physics, atmospheric science, materials science, nuclear engineering, applied mathematics, electrical engineering, computer science, operational science, logistics, supply chain management, systems engineering, aeronautical or astronautical engineering, or a related field. The degree must come from a school accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign degrees need proof of U.S. equivalency. A doctoral degree is required before employment begins.
How to apply well
What to send:
- Letter of application (cover letter) stating how you meet the requirements
- Resume of two pages or less, with hours per week, dates of employment, and your full name
- Curriculum vitae with teaching, professional, and service accomplishments (no length limit)
- Transcripts for all Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD degrees, submitted with the application
- Digital education statement on using technology in teaching and scholarship
- Three professional references with name, mailing address, and phone number (can be in CV)
- Statement of teaching interests (highly encouraged)
- Statement of research interests (highly encouraged)
- DD-214 and related forms if claiming veterans' preference
- U.S. equivalency evaluation for any foreign education
How you will be rated: A faculty-rating panel ranks qualified applicants based on education, teaching, scholarship, and service. The top applicants may be asked for a personal interview and a presentation to faculty. Incomplete packages are not considered, and missing information can lower your rating.
Tips for this job:
- Your resume must show hours per week and dates of employment, or your application may be marked insufficient.
- Submit transcripts for all Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD degrees with your application, not just the doctorate.
- Keep your resume to two pages, but your curriculum vitae can be longer and should list teaching, professional, and service work.
Good to know before you apply
Schedule: Full-time. You may need to work evenings, weekends, or holidays, and shift work and emergency overtime may be required.
Incentives and relocation: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used. Relocation expenses are not reimbursed.
Conditions of employment:
- U.S. citizenship required
- Males born after 1959 must be registered for Selective Service
- Must maintain current certifications
- May need to work evenings, weekends, holidays, shifts, or emergency overtime
- One-year trial period
- Background investigation must be completed with a favorable result
- Drug test may be required
- Travel by military or commercial transport may be required
- Schedule A appointment, a hiring route outside the normal competitive process
- Current federal employees may need a 3-day break in service
- No permanent change of station (PCS) costs are paid
- Extra duties may be assigned by school or university leaders
We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.
Job details
- Salary
- $62,439 – $123,291 per year
- Pay scale and grade
- AD-21 · Administratively determined
- Location
- Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- Appointment
- Term
- Work schedule
- Full-time
- Service
- Excepted
- Openings
- FEW
- Security clearance
- Other
- Travel
- Occasional travel
- Drug test
- Not required
- Supervisory
- No
- Occupation
- General Education And Training (1701)
- Announcement
- AFMC-13020870-AFIT-9X-DLF
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