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The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), located in Natick, Massachusetts is offering a postdoctoral fellowship in human performance related to nutrition and gut microbiology.

What will I be doing and Why Should I apply?

Studies within the Military Nutrition Division (MND) have identified relationships between the gut microbiota, physiology, metabolism, and health and performance outcomes in military personnel.  As a participant you will be a part of ongoing studies that seek to use nutritional approaches targeting the gut microbiota to improve military performance.  The MND is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to support this line of research. Under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands-on experience to complement your education and support your academic and professional goals. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to:

• Engage in the execution of randomized controlled trials conducted at the USARIEM and locations throughout the United States
• Contribute to the development of research proposals and protocols that aim to use nutrition interventions that target and leverage the human gut microbiota to improve human performance.
• Gain experience in the design and execution of human nutrition research.
• Learn and apply computational techniques to analyze multi-omics data sets to elucidate interactions between nutrition, stress and the gut microbiota in relation to cognition and physical performance.
• Learn research techniques including ELISA, qPCR, flow cytometry, high-throughput DNA sequencing, indirect calorimetry, stable isotopes, and exercise testing.
• Co-author manuscripts and present research at scientific conference.
• Interact with internationally recognized scientists in the fields of nutrition science, environmental physiology, experimental psychology, exercise science and microbiology. 

Natick, Massachusetts

What is the anticipated start date?

USARIEM is ready to make appointments immediately. Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate. 

What is the appointment length? 

This appointment is a one-year, full-time 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 USARIEM. 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.

Nature of Appointment

As a participant, you will 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.

About USARIEM

The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), in Natick, Massachusetts has four divisions: Military Nutrition, Military Performance, Thermal and Mountain Medicine, and Research Support. By leveraging its unique capabilities and facilities with industry, academia, and the government, USARIEM produces various essential products, including performance optimization doctrine, preventive medicine, planning doctrine, materiel development support, physiological monitoring strategies and predictive algorithms, and Health Hazard Assessments.

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. 

Competitive candidates will have recently earned a doctoral degree in nutrition science, exercise physiology or a closely related field and have a background in computational biology, microbial ecology, or a closely related field.  Alternatively, candidates should have recently earned a doctoral degree in microbial ecology, or a closely related field, and have some background in nutrition science, exercise physiology or a closely related field.  Strong written and oral communication, organizational, analytical and computational research skills are required. The fellowship will be administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and may be renewed for up to three years. US Citizenship and travel are required.

Application Requirements

A complete application consists of the following:

• Zintellect Profile
• Educational and Employment History
• CV and Cover Letter describing achievements, research interests, career goals, reason of interest, and suitability for this appointment (maximum two pages) - please upload to the resume section on the application
• 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.
• Two Recommendations
• If you have questions, send an email to orise-army-mrdc-riem@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity USAMRDC-RIEM-2024-0016 in the email's subject line. Please understand that ORISE does not review applications or select applicants; selections are made by the sponsoring agency identified on this opportunity. All application materials should be submitted via the "Apply" button at the bottom of this opportunity listing. Please do not send application materials to the email address above.

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• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (28 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age