Congressional Science & Engineering Fellowships
Program
The Fellow spends one year working as a special legislative assistant on the
staff of a member of Congress or congressional committee. Activities may involve
conducting legislative or oversight work, assisting in congressional hearings
and debates, and preparing briefs and writing speeches. The Fellow also attends
an orientation program on Congressional and executive branch operations, which
includes guidance in the congressional placement process, and a year-long
seminar series on science and public policy issues. These aspects of the program
are administered by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for
the MRS/OSA Fellow, and those Fellows sponsored by nearly two dozen other
scientific societies. (We invite you to download the
fellowship information in print-friendly pdf format.)
Purpose
To provide MRS and OSA members with an invaluable public policy learning
experience, to contribute to the more effective use of optical and materials
science knowledge in government, and to broaden awareness about the value of
scientist and engineer-government interaction among MRS and OSA members and
within the federal government.
Criteria
A prospective Fellow must demonstrate a record of success in research or
scholarship, in a field relevant to materials and/or optical science and
technology. The Fellow must also demonstrate sensitivity toward policy issues
and have a strong interest in applying scientific and technical knowledge to
U.S. public policy issues. The Fellow must be able to work quickly and
communicate effectively on a wide variety of topics, and be able to work
cooperatively with individuals having diverse viewpoints. An applicant is
expected to be a Member of MRS or OSA (or an applicant for membership) and have
a doctorate.
Award
The Fellow will have a one-year appointment beginning September 1, 2011. The
Fellowship stipend will be $68,000, plus money for health insurance, travel and
relocation to the Washington, DC area. Final selection of the 2011 -
2012 Fellow will be made in March 2011.
Application
The application period for the 2011 -
2012 Fellowship will begin on September 1, 2010. Applications must be
postmarked by January 7, 2011. Candidates must submit the following materials:
(1) a detailed vita providing information about educational background,
professional employment and activities, professional publications and
presentations, public policy and legislative experience, and committee and
advisory group appointments; (2) a statement of approximately 1000 words
addressing the applicant’s interests in the fellowship, career goals,
contributions the applicant believes he or she can make as an MRS/OSA Fellow to
the legislative process, and what the applicant wants to learn from the
experience; and (3) three letters of reference, specifically addressing the
applicant’s ability to work on Capitol Hill as a special legislative assistant,
sent directly to the address below. Email is preferred.
Application materials should be sent
to:
Lyndsay BasistaOptical Society
of America
2010 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036-1023
lbasista@osa.org
Additional Information
For additional
information, contact:
Lyndsay Basista
202-416-1930
lbasista@osa.org
or
Sandra DeVincent Wolf
724-779-2731
swolf@mrs.org
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