Postdoctoral Research on Analgesic Interventions on Acute Injury-Induced Pain

Organization
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Reference Code
USAISR-2020-0028
How to Apply

Components of the online application are as follows:

  • Profile Information

  • 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.

  • 1 Recommendation(s)

Submitted documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.

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

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

Letter of Recommendation: While a letter of recommendation is not required to be considered, applicants are required to provide contact information for one recommendation in order to submit the application. Applicants are encouraged to request a letter of recommendation before submission as this may help reviewers have a better understanding of the applicant’s qualifications and interests.  If selected, a letter recommendation must be submitted on your behalf upon acceptance of the appointment.

Description

The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) is part of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command and is collocated with and under operational control of Brooke Army Medical Center, at the Joint Base San Antonio - Ft. Sam Houston. The USAISR is dedicated to both laboratory and clinical trauma research. Our mission is to provide requirements-driven combat casualty care medical solutions and products for injured soldiers from self-aid through definitive care across the full spectrum of military operations; provide state- of-the-art trauma, burn, pain management and critical care to Department of Defense beneficiaries around the world and civilians in our trauma region; and provide Burn Special Medical Augmentation Response Teams.

The successful applicant will participate in a project that examines the effects of analgesic interventions on acute injury-induced pain, as well as blood and brain based biomarkers for pain. This research fellow will learn to analyze the effects of drugs on behavioral responses and biomarker expression in several rat models for pain. The successful applicant will also participate in the development and validation of a new rat model for visceral pain and a new large animal model (pig) for burn pain.  These projects involve multiple laboratory technologies, including microscopy, targeted proteomic analyses, mRNA sequencing analysis, and immunohistochemical methods, among others.  This will provide ample opportunity to learn  to perform and apply these technologies to the current project, as well as to future research projects.  The fellow will be part of a highly collaborative and integrated working group, and will participate in cross-departmental and cross-institutional collaborations.  Another important aspect of this work involves communicating results and conclusions in writing (animal protocols, posters, peer-reviewed publications) and in oral presentations.  The latter may range from informal laboratory presentations to intramural and extramural seminars to scientists in the same field and to more general/medical audiences.

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.

Participant Benefits

Participants will receive a stipend to be determined by USAISR. Stipends are typically based on the 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

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOD, or any other office or agency.  Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

 

 

Qualifications

Candidate should have Ph.D in Neuroscience or related field. Candidate should have a background in experimental pain behavior in animal models and experience  with animal models for psychology and related scientific research.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: 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 (16 )
    • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
    • Engineering (27 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (10 )
    • Other Non-Science & Engineering (2 )
    • Physics (16 )
    • Science & Engineering-related (1 )
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (27 )