Environmental Physiology Post-Doctoral Fellowship

The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), is an internationally recognized center of excellence for Warfighter performance science and its practical applications. This ORISE fellowship is an opportunity to collaborate on ongoing studies within the Military Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division, which collects physiologic and biologic data in extreme environments and utilizes this data to develop novel prediction algorithms of acute mountain sickness, heat exhaustion, cold injury, and other environmental problems.

The Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division also collects individual biomarkers of environmental injury to develop risk prediction scores and reduce injuries before they occur.

As part of this learning experience, you and your mentor will be involved in two to four research projects: one involving the efficacy of a hypoxia inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor on reducing acute mountain sickness, another involving testing the reliability and validity of novel wearable sensors to detect oxygen saturation, a third involving the prediction of heat stroke and a fourth involving biomarker signatures of heat, cold and altitude acclimatization.

Under the guidance of a mentor and during this appointment, you will have the opportunity to learn and gain experience in the following:

• Organizing and standardizing human data collection procedures
• Developing novel, independent research questions focused on injury and performance
• Engaging and collaborating directly with Soldier units
• Gaining hands‑on experience in field‑based data collection techniques and preparing documentation for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval
• Expanding the knowledge and skills necessary to become credentialed as a Principal Investigator
• Applying a broad range of statistical and machine learning methods to human performance data collected in real‑world settings
• Developing foundational competencies in research design, exercise physiology, human subject data collection, and statistical analysis using SPSS, SAS, R, and Microsoft Excel.
• Strengthening experience in research protocols
• Contributing to writing grant proposals for extramural funding aimed at optimizing the health and performance of Warfighters deployed in extreme environments.

Natick, Massachusetts

USARIEM is ready to make an appointment as early as March 2026
. 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 will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

This appointment is a full‑time research appointment, with the possibility of renewal for additional research periods. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and the participant's availability.

You will receive a stipend, which will be determined by USARIEM. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other provisions may include the following:

• Health Insurance Supplement. Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE.
• Training and Travel Allowance.

As a participant, you will 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.

The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), in Natick, Massachusetts has four divisions:
Military Nutrition, Military Performance, Thermal and Mountain Medicine, and Research Support. By leveraging its unique capabilities and facilities with industry, academia, and the government, USARIEM produces various essential products, including performance optimization doctrine, preventive…