DCPH-A Military Deployment Environmental Health and Remote Sensing Internship 2026
Click on Apply at the bottom of the opportunity to start your application.
The Department of War (DoW) is offering a post-baccalaureate internship at the Defense Health Agency’s Defense Centers for Public Health – Aberdeen (DCPH-A) within the Health Risk Assessment Integration Division (HRAID).
What will I be doing?
This internship will provide a post-baccalaureate educational experience to eligible graduates interested in the fields of public health, environmental health risk assessment, military deployment health, and/or environmental exposure assessment and surveillance. This opportunity is aimed at furthering knowledge of the Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System and satellite based remote sensing for health risk.
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. Along the way, you will engage in activities in several areas. These include, but are not limited to:
- Learning about environmental surveillance and health risk assessment in challenging, austere conditions.
- Learning about military deployment health and gain experience in environmental data collection.
- Contributing to solutions for difficult environmental health problems in complex environments using remote sensing data from satellite sources.
- Developing, designing and implementing better environmental monitoring and surveillance processes in locations where service members are deployed.
- Learning to analyze environmental health data, assess risk, and summarize health findings for deployed service members using a variety of systems and software.
- Engaging with teams to improve the collection of environmental exposure data to supplement DOD’s existing public health data systems that support deployment health.
Where will I be located?
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
What is the anticipated start date?
The 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?
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 provisions?
You will receive a stipend to be determined by DCPH-A. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Stipend range: $3,500 - $4,500 monthly. Other provisions may include the following:
- Health Insurance Supplement (Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE)
- Training and Travel Allowance
Security Clearance
While participants will not enter an employment relationship with DoD or any other agency, this opportunity will require a suitability investigation/background investigation. Any offer made is considered tentative pending favorable outcome of the investigation.
About DCPH-A
The Defense Health Agency's Defense Centers for Public Health - Aberdeen's mission is to enhance Department of War (DoW) readiness by identifying and assessing current and emerging health threats, developing and communicating public health solutions, and assuring the quality and effectiveness of the DoW's Public Health Enterprise. Their vision is to be a world-class provider of public health services across the Army and DoW.
The Health Risk Assessment Integration Division identifies and assesses legacy, current, and emerging environmental health threats to the joint force and advances the quality, efficiency, and reliability of health risk assessment products and services supporting Force Health Protection, veterans, and the DoW public health enterprise.
For more information about the DCPH-A, please visit https://ph.health.mil/Pages/About.aspx.
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 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.
The qualified candidate will have a bachelor's degree or will have received a bachelor's degree by May 29, 2026, in public health, a science, or a field of engineering. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date. U.S. military veterans who have been honorably discharged (or who have been medically discharged because of a service-connected disability) and who received a bachelor's degree or higher within ten years of the desired start date are also eligible.
Highly competitive applicants will have education and/or experience in one or more of the following:
- Excellent critical thinking skills and be detail oriented,
- Be familiar with environmental risk assessment or environmental science principles.
- Be familiar with occupational or environmental exposure assessment.
- Experience with excel and databases (especially DOEHRS and/or Oracle business objects).
- Experience with oral communication and presentation.
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.
- Two Recommendations. We encourage you to contact your recommenders 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-2026-0002] 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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- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 5/29/2026 12:00:00 AM.
- Minimum Overall GPA: 2.90
- Discipline(s):
- Age: Must be 18 years of age
- Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).
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