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*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit’s (CFSRU) provides technical leadership for the FBI as well as for other law enforcement and intelligence agencies through applied research and development.

ORISE is continuing normal program operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This opportunity will be offered as long as the FBI Laboratory is able to complete the onboarding process and ensure a meaningful experience to participants. We encourage you to apply and submit your application as soon as possible.  Updates to this opportunity will be provided on this page as needed.

What will I be doing? As a participant with the Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit (CFSRU) Visiting Scientist Program (VSP), you will have an opportunity to enhance your professional development and increase your research capabilities and contributions by participating in forensic research initiatives utilizing state-of-the-art equipment under the mentorship of CFSRU scientists. The VSP will expose you to a research environment in a high security government facility and provides an opportunity to perform research in areas of interest unique to law enforcement and national security.

You may be involved in research including:

• Human identification
• Detection of Bio-threat agents
• Detection of explosives and drugs
• Characterization and comparison of forensic materials
• Elemental analysis of trace evidence
• Mass spectrometry applications to chemical and biological analyses, including IRMS
• Development of instrumental methods
• Evaluation of field portable instrumentation
• Advancement of forensic chemistry, specifically in toxicology, and trace volatiles
• Advancement of techniques for Imaging and Visualization

Under the guidance of a mentor, you may be involved in some or all of the following:

• Conducting searches of scientific literature
• Designing experimental plans
• Conducting field tests
• Performing analytical laboratory analyses
• Analyzing instrumental data/ documenting results
• Preparing and presenting research findings to diverse audiences, both orally and in writing

Why should I apply?  Under the the guidance of a mentor you will  perform sophisticated laboratory techniques using emerging technologies, judge the completeness and accuracy of research results, perform statistical analyses on data, and prepare written manuscripts for FBI review and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Release of any information acquired during participation in this program is at the sole discretion of the FBI.

Where will I be located? Quantico, Virginia

Participant Benefits:

As a participant you will receive a stipend as support for your living and other expenses during this appointment. Stipend rates are determined by the CFSRU officials and are based on your academic and professional background. Relocation expenses, not to exceed $1,000, incurred in relocating from your current address to Quantico, Virginia (if more than 50 miles from the address shown on the application), may be reimbursed for Post-Doctoral appointments. You will receive a travel allowance of $5,000 per appointment year to cover travel-related expenses to scientific and professional development activities. The initial appointment can be for the summer or for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of FBI contingent on the availability of funds. The appointment can be made on a full-time or part-time basis.

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens.

For more information about the Visiting Scientist Program, please visit https://www.fbijobs.gov/students/undergrad

Nature of Appointment

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOE, FBI, CFSRU, or any other office or agency.  Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE letter of appointment and Terms of Appointment.

Participation Eligibility:

You must meet the following criteria to participate in the program:

• Be a U.S. Citizen.
• Have completed requirements for a Bachelor’s, Master, or PhD or complete all the requirements for the degree by the anticipated start date of the appointment.
• Undergo an extensive FBI background investigation and meet suitability criteria (Website.

Program Website: https://orise.orau.gov/fbi/

Students may apply for and are eligible to participate in the program at multiple times during their graduate studies. 

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. 
• A current resume/CV including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two relevant letters of recommendations.

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation. Documents sent by email, postal mail, or fax will not be considered. All supporting materials must be uploaded as PDF files so the document can be searched by Zintellect's search engine. Scanned items are not optimal for search engines. PDF must not require special certificates or passwords to open. Max file size is 10MB. 

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

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (4 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (1 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (1 )
  • Engineering (3 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (2 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (9 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (1 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (1 )