The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) Visiting Scientist Program is offering fellowships and internships for students and postgraduates.

Why should I apply? 

As a TSL visiting scientist, you will 

• Receive hands-on experience in your field and network with top scientists and researchers.
• Have access to unique facilities and state-of-the-art equipment in explosives detection and mitigation.
• Enhance your academic and professional preparation to pursue a career in disciplines that support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Where will I be located? 

TSL is located in Atlantic City, NJ at the William J. Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport.

What are the benefits? 

Selected participants will receive a competitive stipend for living and other expenses during this appointment as determined by DHS. Stipends are determined by participant's academic standing, discipline, and experience.

Participants may also be eligible to receive

• Health insurance allowance,
• Reimbursement for travel expenses, and
• Travel/training allowance for professional development and travel to professional meetings, such as conferences.

Duration

Appointments vary by project, including internships and part-time appointments. Fellowships are for one year and may be extended based upon project needs and funding availability for up to 5 years.

“I learned to look at a project from different angles, collect and analyze a lot of data, and write up the results,” Broderick said. “During my internships and fellowship, I attended weekly meetings with staff, wrote several reports and presented my research to the laboratory. All these experiences improved my teamwork skills including problem solving, listening, collaboration, leadership and communication.”

~ Alicia Broderick, former DHS TSL Visiting Scientist

Security Clearance

Although you will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DHS or any other office or agency, you must have or be eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance for the duration of your appointment. It is expected that after completing the necessary application for clearance a fitness determination will allow participation to begin with unclassified material, while awaiting a clearance.

Learn more about the DHS TSL Visiting Scientist Program at https://orise.orau.gov/tsl/. 

About TSL

The mission of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) is to serve as the leading federal laboratory for the applied research, development, integration, and validation of cutting edge science and technology solutions for the detection and mitigation of explosives and conventional weapons threats in order to secure the homeland. The TSL has approximately 140 full time employees split amongst federal and contract staff members, with a wide variety of backgrounds, including chemists, physicists, engineers, and explosive specialists. Established in 1992 at the William J. Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, the TSL’s 12 acre secure campus includes specialized explosive storage and handling areas and a multi-laboratory infrastructure designed for research, development, and test and evaluation of technology for explosives and weapon detection and blast mitigation. TSL’s team of physicists, chemists, and engineers, is internationally recognized for its unique ability to advance technology from conception to deployment through applied research, development, prototyping, test and evaluation, assessment, certification, and systems qualifications, and laboratory assessment testing. TSL is also internationally recognized for its role in the development of standards, protocols, and test articles for detection technology assessments.

For additional information about the TSL, visit: https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/transportationsecurity-laboratory.

Administrative Notes:

• You will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DHS or any other office or agency. Instead, you will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.
• The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g., facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

Opportunities with DHS TSL are open to students, recent graduates, and faculty as well as applicants with technical or research post-degree experience in a field related to the DHS TSL mission.

To qualify for this opportunity you must,

• Be 18 years of age or older at time of application.
• Be currently pursuing or have received an Associate's degree, Bachelor’s degree, Master's degree, or Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university.
• Be a U.S. citizen.

Applicants located in or near the Atlantic City International Airport area are encouraged to apply.

A complete application consists of:

• Complete Zintellect profile
• Essay Questions - The application includes questions specific to the opportunity.
• Current Resume/CV
• Academic Records: The applicant must submit records for the most recent degree or degree in progress. Unofficial transcripts or copies of academic records provided by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institutional systems may be submitted.
• One (1) Recommendation: Applicants are required to provide contact information for at least one recommendation in order to submit the application. You are encouraged to request a recommendation from a professional who can speak to your abilities and potential for success as well as your scientific capabilities and personal characteristics. Recommendation requests must be sent through the Zintellect application system. Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation in Zintellect. Recommendations submitted via email will not be accepted.  Recommendation must be submitted before an offer is made.

All documents must be submitted via Zintellect. All application components must be received in the system in order to be considered.

If you have questions, please send an email to DHSed@orau.org.

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• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age