WRAIR - Blast-Induced Brain Injury Research Internship​/Fellowship

How To Apply

Click on the Organization field: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The Reference Code for this opportunity is MRDC-WRAIR-. 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.

As the selected candidate and under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands‑on preclinical research experience while engaging in research that employs militarily‑relevant animal models of blast‑induced brain injury (bTBI). Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting behavioral assessments and applying biological processes pre‑ and post‑blast insults.
• Performing tests such as open‑field, auditory brainstem response (A ), electroretinogram (ERG), sociability, catwalk, and novel object recognition.
• Preparing biological samples for processing (tissue, blood, CSF), performing data entry, literature reviews, and assisting investigators with data analysis, protocol and task development.
• Performing data analysis and submitting abstracts for poster presentations at national scientific conferences.

Throughout the internship/fellowship, you will learn about the biomechanical and biological mechanisms of blast injury and contribute to studies identifying the neurobiological underpinnings of bTBI and factors that shape vulnerabilities and persistent sequelae.

Varies.

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.

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.

Participants will receive a stipend of $4,375.00 – $6,000.00 per month, based on academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Additional benefits may include:

• Health Insurance Supplement – participants may purchase health insurance through ORISE.
• Relocation Allowance.
• Training and Travel Allowance.

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) conducts biomedical research responsive to Department of Defense and U.S. Army requirements, delivering lifesaving products and technology that sustain the combat effectiveness of the warfighter. WRAIR’s research focuses on identifying and treating traumatic brain injury and mitigating the deleterious effects of repeated blast exposures.

This program is administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). Participants are affiliated with ORISE for administration but do not enter into an employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD, or any other agency. Proof of health insurance is required; participants may obtain coverage through ORISE.

For more information, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Qualified candidates are pursuing or have earned a degree in one of the eligible disciplines.

• Applicants with experience with animal subject protocols are preferred.

Highly qualified Ph.D. degree applicants should have experience in one or more of the following:

• Working with research or clinical protocols involving military blast exposure and assessment of associated effects.
• Specific training or experience in EKG, A , ERG, novel object recognition, or catwalk.
• Field research experience in a military setting.
• Experience with statistical software such as SAS, SPSS, Graph Pad Prism; or MATLAB, ePRIME, R; and proficiency with Microsoft Office.

A completed and favorably adjudicated…