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

The Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Army Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) located in Silver Spring, Maryland is offering internships and fellowships in several STEM disciplines. 

What will I be doing and why should I apply?

As the selected candidate and under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands-on preclinical research experience while providing research assistance employing militarily-relevant animal models of blast-induced brain injury (bTBI) to identify the neurobiological underpinnings of bTBI and to identify factors that shape vulnerabilities to bTBI and persistent sequelae. As the selected candidate, you will gain knowledge and engage with the biomechanical and biological mechanisms of blast injury and conduct behavioral assessments and design, develop, and implement the application of biological processes pre/post blast insults. In addition, you will perform data analysis and submit abstracts for poster presentations at national scientific conferences and may apply electrocardiogram (EKG) electrodes, perform various tests using the open-field, auditory brainstem Response (ABR), electroretinogram (ERG), sociability, catwalk, novel object recognition methodologies.  You will prepare biological samples for processing (tissue, blood, csf); and perform data entry and literature reviews and have the opportunity to be involved with research investigators to perform data analysis, protocol and task development..

Where will I be located?

Varies

What is the anticipated start date?

The WRAIR 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.

Appointment Length

This appointment is a full-time, twelve-month opportunity, 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? 

• 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 Department of Defense and U.S. Army requirements and delivers lifesaving products including knowledge, technology and medical material that sustain the combat effectiveness of the warfighter. WRAIR provides unique research capabilities and innovative medical solutions to a range of Force Health Protection and Readiness challenges currently facing U.S. Service Members, along with threats anticipated during future operations. These research opportunities include ongoing efforts to identify and treat traumatic brain injury as well as to understand and mitigate the deleterious effects of repeated exposures to blast.

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.

Qualified candidates will be pursuing or have an earned degree in one of the eligible disciplines.

• Applicants with experience with animal subject protocols are preferred.

Highly qualified Ph.D. degree applicants will have one or more of the following:

• Experience working with research or clinical protocols and or directly involving military blast exposure and assessment of associated effects.
• Specific training or experience in EKG, ABR, ERG, novel object recognition, catwalk are a valuable asset.
• Field research experience in a military setting.
• Experience with statistical software packages (i.e. SAS, SPSS, GraphPad Prism); experience with MATLAB, ePRIME, R; Microsoft Office products (i.e. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

A completed and favorably adjudicated background investigation for the Department of Defense is an asset. 

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. We encourage you to contact your recommender 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-MRMC@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity [MRDC-WRAIR-2025-0004] 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, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age