What are the responsibilities and job description for the WRAIR - Blast-Induced Brain Injury Research Fellowship position at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education?
Organization
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Reference Code
MRDC-WRAIR-2026-0003
How To Apply
Click on Apply at the bottom of the opportunity to start your application.
Description
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.
What will I be doing and why should I apply?
As an ORISE fellow under the guidance of a mentor, you will participate in research within the Blast Induced Neurotrauma (BINT) Branch at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). The BINT branch employs state-of-the-art techniques to conduct research on the effects of blast overpressure (BOP) exposure in both human and pre-clinical studies. You will have the opportunity to learn and perform a wide variety scientific methods including measurements of BOP exposure during live-fire testing and operational training and acute health and performance effects on Warfighters, as well as blast exposure simulation experiments with neurobehavioral testing (e.g. learning and memory, anxiety, motor and coordination tests), neurophysiological assessments (e.g. electroencephalography (EEG), auditory brainstem response (ABR), electrophysiology), and preparation of biological samples for analysis on both lissencephalic and gyrencephalic species. In addition, you will have the opportunity to perform data analysis, submit abstracts for presentations at scientific conferences, and participate in writing peer-review manuscripts.
As the selected participant, you will be engaged in several of the research focus areas below using a cross-disciplinary approach to advancing the science of blast-induced neurotrauma and delivering solutions to reduce exposure risk to the Warfighter.
Silver Spring, Maryland
What is the anticipated start date?
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.
Appointment Length
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.
What are the provisions?
Participants will receive a stipend to be determined by WRAIR. The stipend range for this opportunity is $75,000-$85,000/year based on a 12-motnh appointment. Stipends are typically based on the participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other provisions may include the following:
The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) aims to conduct biomedical research that is responsive to Department of Defense and U.S. Army requirements and delivers lifesaving products including knowledge, technology and medical material that sustain the combat effectiveness of the warfighter. WRAIR provides unique research capabilities and innovative medical solutions to a range of Force Health Protection and Readiness challenges currently facing U.S. Service Members, along with threats anticipated during future operations. These research opportunities include ongoing efforts to identify and treat traumatic brain injury as well as to understand and mitigate the deleterious effects of repeated exposures to blast.
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 candidates will be pursuing or have an earned degree Ph.D. within 60 months in bioengineering, anatomy, biology, microbiology, physiology or one of the other eligible disciplines. Candidates who are pursuing their Ph.D. should expect to have completed their degree by December 31, 2026.
Preferred Skills
A complete application consists of:
Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!
Stipend
$75,000.00 – $85,000.00 Yearly
Point of Contact
Brittany
Eligibility Requirements">2 )
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Reference Code
MRDC-WRAIR-2026-0003
How To Apply
Click on Apply at the bottom of the opportunity to start your application.
Description
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.
What will I be doing and why should I apply?
As an ORISE fellow under the guidance of a mentor, you will participate in research within the Blast Induced Neurotrauma (BINT) Branch at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). The BINT branch employs state-of-the-art techniques to conduct research on the effects of blast overpressure (BOP) exposure in both human and pre-clinical studies. You will have the opportunity to learn and perform a wide variety scientific methods including measurements of BOP exposure during live-fire testing and operational training and acute health and performance effects on Warfighters, as well as blast exposure simulation experiments with neurobehavioral testing (e.g. learning and memory, anxiety, motor and coordination tests), neurophysiological assessments (e.g. electroencephalography (EEG), auditory brainstem response (ABR), electrophysiology), and preparation of biological samples for analysis on both lissencephalic and gyrencephalic species. In addition, you will have the opportunity to perform data analysis, submit abstracts for presentations at scientific conferences, and participate in writing peer-review manuscripts.
As the selected participant, you will be engaged in several of the research focus areas below using a cross-disciplinary approach to advancing the science of blast-induced neurotrauma and delivering solutions to reduce exposure risk to the Warfighter.
- Exploring biomechanical and biological mechanisms of injury
- Assessing neurosensory (auditory and ocular systems) pathophysiology
- Investigating genetic and neurodegenerative molecular cascades
- Conducting interspecies scaling of injury
- Understanding behavioral and sleep disturbances
- Employing wearable sensor technologies to detect and monitor blast exposure
- Developing effective countermeasures and testing injury mitigation techniques
Silver Spring, Maryland
What is the anticipated start date?
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.
Appointment Length
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.
What are the provisions?
Participants will receive a stipend to be determined by WRAIR. The stipend range for this opportunity is $75,000-$85,000/year based on a 12-motnh appointment. Stipends are typically based on the 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.
- Relocation Allowance
- Training and Travel Allowance
The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) aims to conduct biomedical research that is responsive to Department of Defense and U.S. Army requirements and delivers lifesaving products including knowledge, technology and medical material that sustain the combat effectiveness of the warfighter. WRAIR provides unique research capabilities and innovative medical solutions to a range of Force Health Protection and Readiness challenges currently facing U.S. Service Members, along with threats anticipated during future operations. These research opportunities include ongoing efforts to identify and treat traumatic brain injury as well as to understand and mitigate the deleterious effects of repeated exposures to blast.
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 candidates will be pursuing or have an earned degree Ph.D. within 60 months in bioengineering, anatomy, biology, microbiology, physiology or one of the other eligible disciplines. Candidates who are pursuing their Ph.D. should expect to have completed their degree by December 31, 2026.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with animal research protocols
- Experience with human research protocols
- Experience with animal surgical procedures and neurophysiology techniques
- Experience with military or field environments
- Experience with data management, automation, and machine learning
- Experience with statistical software packages (i.e. SAS, SPSS, GraphPad Prism); experience with MATLAB, ePRIME, R; Microsoft Office products (i.e. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
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.
- One Recommendation. We encourage you to contact your recommender 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.
Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!
Stipend
$75,000.00 – $85,000.00 Yearly
Point of Contact
Brittany
Eligibility Requirements">2 )
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2026 11:59:00 PM.
- Discipline(s):
- Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (
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Salary : $75,000 - $85,000