2027-2028 MRS/Optica Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship

MATERIALS RESEARCH SOCIETY; Washington; On-site; USD 74,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Travel funds

Relocation allowance

Job summary

The MATERIALS RESEARCH SOCIETY/Optica Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship Program invites applications for a one-year placement (Sept 1, 2027–Aug 31, 2028) in a congressional office. Fellows conduct policy and oversight work, draft briefs, and support hearings, with AAAS orientation and a year-long science-policy seminar series.

Eligibility includes a PhD by Sept 1, 2027, membership in Optica or MRS, and authorization to work in the United States.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated record of success in research or scholarship in a field relevant to optical science and technology and/or materials.
• Demonstrated sensitivity toward policy issues and interest in applying scientific knowledge to public policy.
• Ability to communicate to scientific and non-scientific audiences and work cooperatively with diverse viewpoints.

Responsibilities

• Placement in a congressional office for one year to support policy work.
• Prepare briefs and speeches; participate in hearings and debates.
• Attend AAAS orientation and participate in year-long science-policy seminar series.

Skills

Policy communication

Scientific writing

Public policy awareness

Education

PhD degree

Job description

Applications will be accepted September 14 – December 4, 2026 for the MRS and Optica Congressional Fellowship Program.

Program

The 2027-28 MRS/Optica Congressional Science and Engineering 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 programme 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 MRS/Optica Fellow, as well as other Fellows sponsored by nearly two dozen other scientific societies.

During your one year as a Fellow you will:

Be fully immersed in congressional policy making through placement in a specific congressional office

Contribute widely to the effective use of materials science knowledge in government

Broaden awareness about the value of scientist and engineer-government interaction among societymembers and within governmentnetwork with other participants of science and technology fellowship programs

Criteria

• A record of success in research or scholarship in a field relevant to optical science and technology and/or materials, familiarity with the discipline and a working understanding of the scientific communities. Scientific/technical background and professional accomplishments are weighted in consideration to the applicant’s career stage.
• Demonstrated sensitivity toward policy issues and a strong interest in applying scientific and technical knowledge to United States public policy issues.
• Work quickly and communicate effectively to both scientific and non-scientific audiences on a wide variety of topics and work cooperatively with individuals having diverse viewpoints.
• Applicants are expected to be a member of Optica or MRS and have a PhD degree by the Fellowship's start date, September 1st.
• US citizenship is not required; however, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States (subject to verification). Specifically excluded as selection criteria are age, sex, creed, race, ethnic background and partisan political affiliation.

The Fellow will have a one-year appointment, September 1, 2027, through August 31, 2028. The Fellowship stipend will be USD 81,750, plus additional funds for health insurance, and travel and relocation expenses to the Washington, DC area.

2027-28 MRS/Optica Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship