MRICD Behavioral, Physiological & Biochemical Evaluation in Multiple Mammalian Models: Bachelor's level
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The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD) is the Department of Defense’s lead laboratory for medical chemical defense research. As a subordinate element of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), the institute conducts research for development of medical countermeasures to treat exposure to various chemical threat agents for protection of soldiers and civilians. Scientific disciplines at USAMRICD include, but are not limited to, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, neuroscience, toxicology, physiology, psychology, and immunology. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USAMRICD.USAMRICD is offering an opportunity for current students or recent bachelor's degree graduates.
Why should I apply?
As the selected candidate, you will have the opportunity to collaborate as part of a multi-disciplinary team endeavoring to discover, evaluate, and advance our understanding of threats, their mechanism(s) of injury, and potential mitigation strategies, particularly medical countermeasures capable of providing safe and effective prophylaxis and/or treatment against these diverse threats. As a part of the mission, threats and therapies must be evaluated behaviorally and physiologically in a diversity of animal species, often including rodents, swine, and nonhuman primates. It is essential to collect sensitive behavioral data to comprehensively evaluate functional efficacy and safety. Prediction of human health impacts is a key goal, and behavioral, physiological, and biochemical changes will be closely examined using a tiered approach to reach programmatic goals for each specific threat. To this end, our laboratory is seeking a participant who is capable and willing to participate in many aspects of this program of research in the context of an immersive, educational science internship to advance the mission of the USAMRICD by assisting in the conduct of behavioral, physiological, kinetic, and pharmacology/toxicology studies in diverse mammalian species.
What will I be doing?
Under the guidance of a mentor, you will learn and gain hands-on experience to complement your education and support your academic and professional goals. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Learning operant behavioral testing techniques
- Conducting compliance training
- Participating in Bio sampling
- Learning about physiological instrumentation
- Developing recording and analysis skills
- Engaging in data management
- Learning software applications
- Applying accurate record keeping
- Learning the principles of science and study design underpinning these various projects
Such experiences will allow you to stand apart from others in the field and become proficient in the general and specific skills that will advance your scientific and technical career goals. You will initially gain an appreciation of the large portfolio, and a survey of the primary aims and methods of each project. Thereafter, you will be allowed to focus on specific projects and gain a deeper conceptual and practical understanding of each and contribute substantially to the results and reporting of these projects.
For more information regarding projects associated with this opportunity, please contact Dr. Todd Myers at todd.m.myers14.civ@health.mil.
Where will I be located?
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
What is the appointment length?
MRICD will begin the review of applications immediately and is prepared to begin this appointment as soon as possible. This appointment is a twelve-month, 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 provisions?
You will receive a stipend to be determined by USAMRICD. 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 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.
The qualified candidate must be currently pursuing or have completed a bachelor’s degree in a STEM-related discipline listed in the opportunity’s eligibility criteria. Applicants who have completed their degree must have received it within five years of the appointment start date. U.S. military veterans who were honorably discharged, or medically discharged due to a service-connected disability, are eligible if they received their bachelor’s degree within ten years of the desired start date. The selected candidate must be willing to work with nonhuman primates.
Preferred skills:
- Hands-on experience with nonhuman primates (and other laboratory species, such as rats and swine).
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.
- 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-MRMC@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity [USAMRDC-MRICD-2026-0010] 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: Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
- Minimum Overall GPA: 2.80
- Discipline(s):
- Age: Must be 18 years of age
- Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).
ORISE GO
The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!



