Defense Centers for Public Health: Audiology Post-Doctoral Research

Organization
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Reference Code
DCPH-A-2023-0002
How to Apply

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

Description

The Defense Centers for Public Health - Aberdeen (DCPH-A) and the affiliated Scientific and Clinical Studies Section (SCSS) of the Audiology and Speech Pathology Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland is offering a postdoctoral fellowship in Audiology.  The SCSS is an active research program conducting studies in basic science, hearing protection, hearing restoration, auditory pathology (e.g., tinnitus, single-sided deafness, hidden hearing loss), sound localization, cognition, and speech/language impairments resulting from traumatic brain injury. 

What will I be doing?

Under the guidance of a mentor, and as the selected post-doctoral fellow, you will participate in research focused on the prevention, assessment and treatment of auditory disorders in the population of active-duty service members. 

Why should I apply?

The goal of the postdoctoral research opportunity is to carry out research aimed at improving the hearing surveillance system in the DoD and its connection to clinical audiological treatment at military treatment facilities by:

  • Identifying psychoacoustic and speech-perception tests that are correlated with estimates of noise exposure, temporary threshold shift, or subjective complaints about hearing difficulties or tinnitus.
  • Developing better tools to reliably measure hearing deficits and small changes in hearing that are not captured by standard audiometric assessments, including the use of reaction time, pupillometry, dichotic listening tests, and mobile-phone-based speech-in-noise tests for longitudinal surveillance.
  • Collaborating with teams of clinical researchers and public health researchers to facilitate the parallel development and transfer of these tools between clinical applications for the injured warfighter (e.g., cochlear implants for single-sided deafness, low-gain hearing aids to treat subjective complaints with otherwise clinically normal hearing) and public health applications for the broader population of service members (e.g., surveillance of hearing injury not revealed by standard tools).

Where will I be located?

Bethesda, Maryland

What is the anticipated start date?

DCPH-A 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? 

Appointments are initially for one year with the option to extend the appointment for up to four additional years, contingent upon project needs and funding availability.

What are the benefits? 

You will receive a stipend to be determined by the DCPH-A. 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 DCPH-A

The Scientific and Clinical Studies Section (SCSS) of the Audiology and Speech Pathology Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, is an active research program conducting studies in basic science, hearing protection, hearing restoration, auditory pathology (e.g., tinnitus, single-sided deafness, hidden hearing loss), sound localization, cognition, and speech/language impairments resulting from traumatic brain injury.  SCSS staffing includes 6 principal investigators, 3 investigators affiliated with the DoD Centers for Public Health - Aberdeen, 3 engineers, and 7 clinical research investigators.  There are 4 labs, equipped to conduct various studies.  Study participants for on-site research are recruited from the Audiology and Speech Pathology Center, located in the same area, and study participants for studies with remote data collection are recruited from a network of hearing conservation clinics at military installations around the country. 

The Defense Centers for Public Health - Aberdeen's mission is to enhance Army readiness by identifying and assessing current and emerging health threats, developing and communicating public health solutions, and assuring the quality and effectiveness of the Army's Public Health Enterprise. Their vision is to be a world-class provider of public health services across the Army and DOD.  For more information about the Defense Center for Public Health - Aberdeen, please visit Home - Defense Centers for Public Health - Aberdeen (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

Eligible applicants should have completed or be scheduled to complete a Ph.D. in Speech, Language and/or Hearing Science, Audiology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Neuroscience, or a related field within 6 months of the start date.  Highly qualified applicants will demonstrate basic computer skills, some familiarity with technical computing applications (such as MATLAB, R, or related software), and an interest in conducting auditory research studies with human subjects. A history of 1 year of experience with human-subjects research, and at least 1 first-authored peer-reviewed publication in Speech and Hearing Science or a related topic, is preferred.

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 - Please upload a copy of a transcript for your current or most recent degree program that meets the disciplinary qualifications of the opportunity. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
  • One Recommendation. Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed until one recommendation is submitted. We encourage you to contact your recommender(s) as soon as you start your application to ensure they are able to complete the recommendation form and to let them know to expect a message from Zintellect. Recommenders will be asked to rate your scientific capabilities, personal characteristics, and describe how they know you. You can always log back in to your Zintellect account and check the status of your application.

If you have questions, send an email to army-phc@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity DCPH-A-2023-0002 in the subject line of the email. 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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Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 6 months or anticipated to be received by 1/31/2024 12:00:00 AM.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
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