Methodology Development for Identifying BSL-2's of Strategic Concern

Organization
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
Reference Code
ICPD-2025-31
How to Apply

Create and release your Profile on Zintellect – Postdoctoral applicants must create an account and complete a profile in the on-line application system.  Please note: your resume/CV may not exceed 3 pages.

Complete your application – Enter the rest of the information required for the IC Postdoc Program Research Opportunity. The application itself contains detailed instructions for each one of these components: availability, citizenship, transcripts, dissertation abstract, publication and presentation plan, and information about your Research Advisor co-applicant.

Additional information about the IC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program is available on the program website located at: https://orise.orau.gov/icpostdoc/index.html.

If you have questions, send an email to ICPostdoc@orau.org.  Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email. 

Application Deadline
2/28/2025 6:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

Research Topic Description, including Problem Statement:

The 2023 US Biodefense Posture Review identified accidental and intentional laboratory-associated biological incidents as a critical national security concern. While high containment facilities at the biosafety level -3 and -4 equivalent are often assumed to pose the greatest risk, biological research at biosafety level-2 in circumstances that prevent higher containment may ultimately pose the greatest threat. A methodology to identify these facilities of strategic concern is required, as there are hundreds of thousands of BSL- 2s globally. 

Example Approaches: 

Applicants are encouraged to consider factors that may increase the likelihood or severity of biological incidents and the implications that are most relevant for national security. The methodology should be able to be consistently applied across a variety of environments and circumstances. Applicants are encouraged to think broadly about a "biological incident", which may not be limited to infectious disease outbreaks.
 
Relevance to the Intelligence Community:
 
2N020 Develop/enhance methods to detect, assess, and/or evaluate current and emerging...
 

Key Words: Biosafety, Biosecurity, Biothreat, Biodefense, Pathogens, Biological Event, Bio surveillance

Qualifications

Postdoc Eligibility

  • U.S. citizens only
  • Ph.D. in a relevant field must be completed before beginning the appointment and within five years of the appointment start date
  • Proposal must be associated with an accredited U.S. university, college, or U.S. government laboratory
  • Eligible candidates may only receive one award from the IC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program

Research Advisor Eligibility

  • Must be an employee of an accredited U.S. university, college or U.S. government laboratory
  • Are not required to be U.S. citizens
Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
    • Communications and Graphics Design (3 )
    • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
    • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
    • Engineering (27 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
    • Other Non-Science & Engineering (2 )
    • Physics (16 )
    • Science & Engineering-related (1 )
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (30 )
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