Postgraduate Research Fellowship in Advanced Remote Sensing

Overview

The Air Force Institute of Technology is offering a postgraduate fellowship in the Center for Technical Intelligence Studies and Research (CTISR) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Eligible applicants may be at any level of postgraduate status, including post-bachelors, post-masters, or postdoctoral.

As an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) participant, you will join a community of scientists and researchers in an effort to design, develop, and implement advanced remote sensing technologies. Research fellows will engage in a collaborative environment that fosters the development of analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills. Research activities will focus on technical projects that involve the collection of EO/IR data on exquisite sensing platforms, the development and integration of these instruments to optimize data collections, the design of new modalities for collecting EO/IR data, and the analysis and reporting of these data products.

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands‑on experience to complement your education and support your academic and professional goals. Along the way, you will engage in activities and research in several areas. These include, but are not limited to:

• Engage in research related to infrared radiative transfer modeling, IR sensor and camera system design or integration, and atmospheric propagation analysis
• Apply and expand knowledge of experimental physics and/or engineering as you engage in project activities
• Gain experience in both laboratory activities and field measurements for a variety of remote sensing projects
• Develop skills in software coding and scientific data analysis

Dayton, Ohio

Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and fellowships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

This appointment is a twelve‑month research appointment, with the possibility to be renewed for additional research periods. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant.

You will receive a stipend to be determined by AFIT. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, research background, and location of the research facility. Other provisions may include the following:

• Health Insurance Supplement (Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE)
• Relocation Allowance
• Training and Travel Allowance

Qualified applicants will hold a degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral) in one of the eligible disciplinary fields. The degree must have been earned within five years of the appointment start date.

• Knowledge of EO/IR sensor data
• Experience in radiative transfer physics and atmospheric modeling (via MODTRAN or similar codes)
• Sensor or camera design, characterization, and integration, and/or electro‑optical system performance modeling
• Ability to develop software in one or more languages for scientific inquiry

$4,000.00 – $8,500.00 Monthly

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree:
  Bachelor's Degree, Master’s Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 7/1/2026 11:59:00 PM.
• Discipline(s):
  Engineering, Physics