POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

Summary

This is a Non-Tenure Track position. Serve as a Postdoctoral Researcher to substantially increase faculty productivity and improve AFIT educational and research products. Postdoctoral researchers provide a unique opportunity to educate civilian human capital for the Air Force workforce thereby meeting AF STEM human capital needs.

Duties

Performs the following postdoctoral fellow duties in the Department of Engineering Physics, Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology: Technical problem solving. The incumbent solves research problems to gain additional skills and experience within their area of academic discipline. Technical problem-solving activities include but are not limited to: identifying potential solutions to novel research problems; designing and executing studies to answer research questions; analyzing and interpreting research findings; configuring and designing relevant hardware and/or software; building relevant and useful research models; evaluating existing research techniques, analyzing systems, and recommending improvements to ensure quality and productivity. Mentorship and Collaboration. The incumbent develops mentorship and collaboration skills by partnering with their research mentor to organize, plan, and execute group research projects. Postdoctoral fellows expand their mentorship skills by partnering with AFIT students in informal settings to guide student investigations, offer research support, and share technical knowledge. The incumbent will collaborate with faculty inside and outside their discipline to identify relevant research questions, develop methods to answer research questions, and to work cooperatively to solve research problems of mutual interest. Communication. A Postdoctoral researcher prepares manuscripts for publication; documents research activities to ensure reproducibility; and assists in the preparation of proposals and funding reports. The incumbent is responsible for presenting research outputs at relevant conferences, program reviews, sponsor meetings and similar events. Postdoctoral researchers are responsible for reading, understanding, applying technical articles and maintaining a working knowledge of the state of the art in research. The Postdoctoral researcher effectively engages with the broader academic and defense communities by communicating as an active participant in internal and external scientific committees, conferences, including reviewing and critiquing student thesis papers, dissertations, and student thesis/doctoral committee activities.

Qualifications and evaluation

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Starting September 27, 2025, USAJOBS began restricting all resumes to two pages in length. Applicants possessing the required qualifications as contained within this announcement will be evaluated and ranked by a Faculty-Rating Panel based on the extent to which their experience and education relate to the requirements of the position. A personal interview and presentation to the faculty may be required of the top applicants. Applicants will be assessed based on their teaching credentials, scholarship, service, and education. Your application package (curriculum vitae, ALL transcripts (Bachelors/Masters/PhD), supporting documents, etc.) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application. Interested persons should submit a curriculum vitae and a statement of interest that addresses the ways in which the applicant's qualifications meet the requirements of the ad to include evidence of teaching excellence and promise of research productivity. Additional documents are required to complete your application package, please reference the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" section for more information.

Education

This position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications therefore, you MUST submit ALL transcripts (Bachelors/Masters/PhD) with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

How to apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/27/2027. To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13020870 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: a letter of application (cover letter), curriculum vitae, ALL Transcripts (Bachelors/Masters/PhD), statement of teaching, and statement of research interest. PLEASE NOTE: A Doctoral degree is required before employment begins, but ALL transcripts must be provided for ALL degrees being pursued or obtained as stated in your curriculum vitae are required. Questions on the position opening or the Department should be directed to the Judy Turner at email: judy.turner.1.ctr@us.af.mil. You can also notify her of your intention to apply. An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application. 1. Your Resume/ Curriculum Vitae: Resumes/Curriculum Vitae may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. If you submit more than one Resume/Curriculum Vitae, only the most recent (latest) will be reviewed to determine your qualifications. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. For qualification determination your Resume/Curriculum Vitae must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your Resume/Curriculum Vitae does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series, and grade, i.e., GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your Resume/Curriculum Vitae. Teaching accomplishments: Include teaching experience and teaching awards Professional Accomplishments: Include research, consultations, publications, and awards Service Accomplishments: Include membership, leadership roles, nature of service and contribution in collegial and/or professional organizations, societies, etc. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 3. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. If you are claiming veterans' preference, please provide basic eligibility information in your cover letter. Also include in your application a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) and, if disabled, a completed SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference), along with a letter for federal employment from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicating your service-connected disability rating. IF APPLICABLE: An active-duty military member's statement of service/certification letter will be accepted in lieu of a DD-214. The statement/certification letter can be obtained from your servicing military personnel office and must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate your rank, dates of active-duty service, and type of discharge/character of service (i.e. honorable). Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military separation, if member is on terminal leave, and if applicable, with the appropriate 180-day approved waiver. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date.You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Required documents

The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. Required: Letter of Application (Cover Letter) Required: Resume: Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two page resume ensure the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed to determine your qualifications. The most recent is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. For qualification determination, your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series, and grade, i.e., GS-0301-09. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. Required: Curriculum Vitae: You must submit a curriculum vitae (no length restrictions) and it must contain detailed information in the following areas, as appropriate: Teaching Accomplishments: Include teaching experience and teaching awards Professional Accomplishments: Include research, consultations, publications, and awards Service Accomplishments: Include membership, leadership roles, nature of service and contribution in collegial and/or professional organizations, societies, etc. Required: Transcripts - This position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications. You MUST submit ALL transcripts (Bachelors/Masters/PhD) with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. Required, If Applicable: Transcripts (Foreign Education) - A U.S. Equivalency from a Department of Education approved (non-federal) credentialing agency (i.e. AICE, NACES), who will complete a U.S. Standard of Education Conversion for education completed in foreign colleges or universities, is required. PLEASE NOTE: A Doctoral degree is required before employment begins, but ALL transcripts (Bachelors/Masters/PhD) MUST be provided for ALL degrees being pursued or obtained as stated in your curriculum vitae. Required (may be in CV): List of three professional references (to include name, complete mailing address and phone number) Required: Digital Education Statement - Applicants will submit a statement describing their approaches to integrating digital education into teaching, scholarship, life experiences and/or service. The statement needs to highlight examples of leveraging technology to enhance learning, promote innovation, or advance digital literacy in an academic setting. Applicants are encouraged to address the use of emerging technologies, such as AI or data analytics, and their potential contributions to AFIT and Air University's mission of preparing student's faculty, and staff for a rapidly evolving digital environment. Highly Encouraged: Statement of Teaching Interests Highly Encouraged: Statement of Research Interests If Applicable: Veterans' preference documents If you are claiming veteran's preference, please provide basic eligibility information in your cover letter. Also include in your application a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) and, if disabled, a completed SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference), along with a letter for federal employment from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicating your service-connected disability rating. An active-duty military member's Statement of Service/Certification Letter will be accepted in lieu of a DD-214. The Statement/Certification Letter can be obtained from your servicing military personnel office and must be signed by, or by direction of, the Adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate your rank, dates of active-duty service, and type of discharge/character of service (i.e., honorable). Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military separation. If member is on terminal leave, and if applicable, with the appropriate 180-day approved waiver. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Additional information

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. Late applications from veterans will not be accepted for faculty positions. Late applications for veterans only apply when filling positions in the competitive service. As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information click here. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required by PL 104-134 to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service of at least three (3) calendar days may be required prior to appointment to the position. AFIT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. Application materials become the property of AFIT and WILL NOT be returned. Applications submitted under this announcement will be considered ONLY for this vacancy. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.