OSA / MRS Congressional Fellowship

Deadline for 2008-2009 OSA/MRS Congressional Fellowship applications:
Wednesday, January 9, 2008

OSA and MRS offer a congressional fellowship program providing members with an invaluable opportunity of public policy learning. Fellows contribute effective use of optical and materials science knowledge in government and broaden awareness of the value of scientist- and engineer-government interaction among our memberships, the federal government, and the public.

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 administered by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 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. The AAAS also administers many other aspects of the program for the OSA/MRS Fellow, as well as other Fellows sponsored by nearly two dozen other scientific societies.

Criteria

A prospective Fellow must have a record of success in research or scholarship in a field relevant to optical science and technology and/or materials. The Fellow must also demonstrate sensitivity toward policy issues and have a strong interest in applying scientific and technical knowledge to United States public policy issues. The Fellow must be able to work quickly and communicate effectively on a wide variety of topics and work cooperatively with individuals having diverse viewpoints. An applicant is expected to be a member of OSA or MRS (or an applicant for membership) and have a Ph.D by September 1, 2008.

Award

The Fellow will have a one-year appointment beginning Sept. 1, 2008. The Fellowship stipend will be $55,000, plus additional funds for health insurance, travel and relocation expenses to the Washington, D.C. area.

Application

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, January 9, 2008. Candidates should submit the following materials:

• A detailed resume or curriculum vitae providing information about educational background, professional employment and activities, professional publications and presentations, public policy and legislative experience and committee and advisory group appointments
  
• A statement of approximately 1,000 words addressing the applicant's interest in the fellowship, career goals, contributions the applicant believes he or she can make as an OSA/MRS Fellow to the legislative process and what the applicant wants to learn from the experience
  
• Three letters of reference sent directly to the address below, specifically addressing the applicant's ability to work on Capitol Hill as a special legislative assistant.

Application Materials Should be Sent to:
OSA/MRS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow Program
c/o Angela Stark
Optical Society of America
2010 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20036
Office: 202.416.1443
Email: astark@osa.org

Directly below is a list of present and past fellows, along with their congressional office placements: