Biochemistry Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)

Organization
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Reference Code
MRMC-WRAIR-2022-0005
How to Apply

Click on Apply at the bottom of the opportunity to start your application.

Description

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) is offering a Postdoctoral Fellowship within the Bacterial Disease Branch in the Wound Infections Department (WID). WID's mission is to defeat combat-related wound infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria.

What will I be doing?

As an ORISE participant, you will join a community of scientists and researchers conducting translational research in the areas of bacterial pathogenesis, novel therapeutics, and diagnostics. You will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing efforts involving in-vitro screening methods to include protein expression and purification, enzyme assays, and 3-D protein structure determination using x-ray crystallography methods for therapeutic development targeting the host immune system and bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Why should I apply?

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands-on experience to complement your education and support your academic and professional goals. As a postdoctoral fellow, you will be integrated with a research team focused on the development of novel therapeutics to combat multi-drug resistant organisms. Within this collaborative team environment, you will learn, or be exposed to, all aspects of the drug development process from early discovery through pre-clinical trials. Additionally, you will gain experience in proposal writing under the guidance of senior scientists.

Where will I be located?

Silver Spring, Maryland

What is the anticipated start date?

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is ready to make appointments immediately. Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and internships or fellowships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

What is the appointment length?

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 Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. 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 WRAIR

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) aims to conduct biomedical research that is responsive to U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Army requirements. WRAIR conducts basic science, applied science, and animal and human subjects research to deliver lifesaving products including knowledge, technology and medical material that sustain the combat effectiveness of the Warfighter. Areas of focus include tropical infectious diseases and HIV, medical care on the battlefield and post-traumatic stress disorders. For more information about the WRAIR, please visit www.wrair.army.mil.

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.

 

Qualifications

The qualified candidate will have a Doctoral Degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Biophysics within five years of the appointment start date. 

Highly competitive candidates will have experience and/or skills in the following: 

  • Cloning, protein expression and purification, enzyme assays, x-ray crystallography, structure determination, and Bruker, Rigaku or Synchrotron diffraction instrumentation
  • Effective communication (verbal and written), presentation and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to troubleshoot problems and understand why a particular assay failed
  • Ability to perform work at a high level of accuracy and maintain detailed records of research
  • Knowledge of applicable highly complex scientific procedures and techniques relating to opportunity

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).

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.
  • One Recommendation

If you have questions, send an email to ARMY-MRMC@orise.orau.gov.  Please list the reference code of this opportunity MRMC-WRAIR-2021-0015 in the subject line of the email.

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Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (1 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (3 )
    • Physics (1 )
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