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The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD) is the Department of Defense’s lead laboratory for medical chemical defense research. As a subordinate element of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), the institute conducts research for development of medical countermeasures to treat exposure to various chemical threat agents for protection of soldiers and civilians. Scientific disciplines at USAMRICD include, but are not limited to, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, neuroscience, toxicology, physiology, psychology, and immunology. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USAMRICD.USAMRICD is offering an opportunity for current students or recent bachelor's degree graduates.  This internship will be hosted at MRICD located at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Edgewood, Maryland.

Why should I apply?

As the selected candidate, you will have the opportunity to collaborate as part of a multi-disciplinary team endeavoring to discover, evaluate, and advance our understanding of threats, their mechanism(s) of injury, and potential mitigation strategies, particularly medical countermeasures capable of providing safe and effective prophylaxis and/or treatment against these diverse threats. As a part of the mission, threats and therapies must be evaluated behaviorally and physiologically in a diversity of animal species, often including rodents, swine, and nonhuman primates. It is essential to collect sensitive behavioral data to comprehensively evaluate functional efficacy and safety. Prediction of human health impacts is a key goal, and behavioral, physiological, and biochemical changes will be closely examined using a tiered approach to reach programmatic goals for each specific threat. To this end, our laboratory is seeking an applicant who is capable and willing to participate in many aspects of this program of research in the context of an immersive, full-time educational science internship to advance the mission of the USAMRICD by assisting in the conduct of behavioral, physiological, kinetic, and pharmacology/toxicology studies in diverse mammalian species.

What will I be doing?

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands-on experience to complement your education and support your academic and professional goals. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Learning operant behavioral testing techniques
• Compliance training
• Bio sampling
• Physiological instrumentation
• Recording and analysis
• Data management
• Software applications
• Record keeping
•  Learning the principles of science and study design underpinning these various projects

Such experiences will allow you to stand apart from others in the field and become proficient in the general and specific skills that will advance your scientific and technical career goals. You will initially gain an appreciation of the large portfolio, and a survey of the primary aims and methods of each project. Thereafter, you will be allowed to focus on specific projects and gain a deeper conceptual and practical understanding of each and contribute substantially to the results and reporting of these projects.

For more information regarding projects associated with this opportunity, please contact Dr. Todd Myers at todd.m.myers14.civ@mail.mil.

Where will I be located?

Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

What is the appointment length?

MRICD will begin the review of applications immediately and is prepared to begin this appointment as soon as possible. This appointment is a twelve month research appointment, with the possibility to be renewed for additional research periods. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant.

What are the benefits?

You will receive a stipend to be determined by USAMRICD. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location.

Other benefits may include the following:

• Health Insurance Supplement (Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE)
• Relocation Allowance
• Training and Travel Allowance

About ORISE

This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and DoD. Participants do not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD 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.  Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.  For more information, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Applicant should be currently pursuing or have an earned bachelor's degree in a STEM related discipline. Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Preferred skill-set and/or experience:

• The selected candidate must be willing to work with nonhuman primates
• Hands-on experience with nonhuman primates (and other laboratory species, such as rats and swine) is highly desired.

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(s).

Application Requirements

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Educational and Employment History
• Essay Questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)
• Resume (PDF)
• Transcripts/Academic Records - 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.  Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.

If you have questions, send an email to army-mrmc@orise.orau.gov.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 2.80
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age
• Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).