What are the responsibilities and job description for the Warfighter Physiology & Performance Postdoctoral Fellow position at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education?
Organization
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Reference Code
USAMRDC-RIEM-2026-0002
How To Apply
Click on Apply at the bottom of the opportunity to start your application.
Description
The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) is offering a postdoctoral research opportunity within the Military Performance Division. This experience focuses on assisting with a longitudinal study to examine the health and performance of elite Warfighters during and following an intense military training.
What will I be doing?
As part of this learning experience and under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain experience in the coordination and execution of field- and laboratory-based research, to include regular travel to support data collection efforts. Through active participation in the study, you will develop and apply advanced skills in longitudinal study design and implementation, gain hands-on experience with exercise laboratory and field procedures, and engage in data collection and analysis in high-performance environments.
Why should I apply?
You will have the opportunity to build proficiency enhance your current knowledge and build new skills in statistical analysis, interpretation, and scientific writing, while contributing to the dissemination of research findings through presentations and publications. The opportunity also includes involvement in the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process and research compliance activities, as well as the application of exercise physiology methodologies and human performance assessment techniques. Exposure to hormone physiology, including sex hormone measurement and analysis, will further enhance your research capabilities.
Where will I be located?
Natick, Massachusetts
What is the anticipated start date?
USARIEM is ready to make an appointment as early as June 2026. Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected participants. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and internships will be filled as qualified participants are identified.
What is the appointment length?
This appointment is a one-year, 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.
What are the provisions?
You will receive a stipend, which will be determined by USARIEM. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and the location of the research facility. Other provisions may include the following:
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.
About USARIEM
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 medicine, planning doctrine, materiel development support, physiological monitoring strategies and predictive algorithms, and Health Hazard Assessments.
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.
Qualifications
Qualified applicants will have a Ph.D. in Kinesiology & Exercise Physiology, Biophysics, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Physiology or other eligible discipline, or is expected to have earned a Ph.D. by June 5, 2026. Applicants should have an interest in human data collection and field-based research.
Preferred Skills And Experience Includes
Application Requirements
A complete application consists of the following:
Point of Contact
Brittany
Eligibility Requirements">38 )
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Reference Code
USAMRDC-RIEM-2026-0002
How To Apply
Click on Apply at the bottom of the opportunity to start your application.
Description
The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) is offering a postdoctoral research opportunity within the Military Performance Division. This experience focuses on assisting with a longitudinal study to examine the health and performance of elite Warfighters during and following an intense military training.
What will I be doing?
As part of this learning experience and under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain experience in the coordination and execution of field- and laboratory-based research, to include regular travel to support data collection efforts. Through active participation in the study, you will develop and apply advanced skills in longitudinal study design and implementation, gain hands-on experience with exercise laboratory and field procedures, and engage in data collection and analysis in high-performance environments.
Why should I apply?
You will have the opportunity to build proficiency enhance your current knowledge and build new skills in statistical analysis, interpretation, and scientific writing, while contributing to the dissemination of research findings through presentations and publications. The opportunity also includes involvement in the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process and research compliance activities, as well as the application of exercise physiology methodologies and human performance assessment techniques. Exposure to hormone physiology, including sex hormone measurement and analysis, will further enhance your research capabilities.
Where will I be located?
Natick, Massachusetts
What is the anticipated start date?
USARIEM is ready to make an appointment as early as June 2026. Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected participants. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and internships will be filled as qualified participants are identified.
What is the appointment length?
This appointment is a one-year, 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.
What are the provisions?
You will receive a stipend, which will be determined by USARIEM. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and the location of the research facility. 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.
About USARIEM
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 medicine, planning doctrine, materiel development support, physiological monitoring strategies and predictive algorithms, and Health Hazard Assessments.
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.
Qualifications
Qualified applicants will have a Ph.D. in Kinesiology & Exercise Physiology, Biophysics, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Physiology or other eligible discipline, or is expected to have earned a Ph.D. by June 5, 2026. Applicants should have an interest in human data collection and field-based research.
Preferred Skills And Experience Includes
- Knowledge of Laboratory techniques (e.g., venipuncture, exercise testing such as VO2max and force plate assessment)
- Experience with heart rate monitoring and data aggregation/analysis
- Knowledge assessing biomarkers of metabolism and sex hormones in both blood and urine
- Experience with assessment of body composition with modern technologies and anthropometry
- Familiarity with statistical analysis of hormone-related research and large datasets, to include modeling.
Application Requirements
A complete application consists of the following:
- Zintellect Profile
- Educational and Employment History
- CV and Cover Letter describing achievements, research interests, career goals, reason of interest, and suitability for this appointment (maximum two pages) - please upload to the resume section on the application
- Transcripts/Academic Records - For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student's 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
- If you have questions, send an email to orise-army-mrdc-riem@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity, USAMRDC-RIEM-2026-0002, in the email's subject line. 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.
Point of Contact
Brittany
Eligibility Requirements">38 )
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 6/5/2026 11:59:00 PM.
- Discipline(s):
- Life Health and Medical Sciences (
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