Postdoctoral positions are available through the National Research Council's (NRC) Research Associateship program. See NRC's Research Associateship Programs at USGS for information about specific postdoctoral research opportunities.

The annual deadline for applications in water resources is February 1. This date is set by NRC and is firm. Applicants must be in the process of completing their doctorate or have held their doctorate less than five years at the time of their application. Qualified applicants will receive consideration by NRC without regard to race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, political preference, labor-organization affiliation or nonaffiliation, marital status, or nondisqualifying handicap. Because one of the objectives of the program is to provide a mechanism for new ideas and a source of stimulation to the sponsoring office, NRC will usually not approve post doc applicants who have been affiliated with USGS prior to their application. NRC does make an exception for student affiliation and will consider other applicants on a case by case basis.

NRC convenes special panels in late February to review and rate the research proposals plus supporting documentation. A Water Resouces Division (WRD) panel also reviews proposals submitted to WRD advisers and tries to identify potential funding sources. Postdoctoral research associates approved by this program receive their stipends directly from NRC.

NRC postdocs are available at USGS in the Water Resouces Division (WRD), Biological Resources Division (BRD), and National Mapping Division (NMD). NRC's Research Associateship Programs at USGS provides information about specific postdoctoral research opportunities in BRD and NMD as well as in WRD. Other USGS postdoctoral opportunities are available through the USGS Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program.