What are the responsibilities and job description for the DCPH-A Military Deployment Environmental Health and Remote Sensing Internship 2026 position at U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)?
The Department of War (DoW) is offering a post-baccalaureate internship at the Defense Health Agency’s Defense Centers for Public Health – Aberdeen (DCPH-A) within the Health Risk Assessment Integration Division (HRAID).
What will I be doing?
This internship will provide a post-baccalaureate educational experience to eligible graduates interested in the fields of public health, environmental health risk assessment, military deployment health, and/or environmental exposure assessment and surveillance. This opportunity is aimed at furthering knowledge of the Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System and satellite based remote sensing for health risk.
Why should I apply?
Under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands-on experience to complement your education and support your academic and professional goals. Along the way, you will engage in activities in several areas. These include, but are not limited to:
- Learning about environmental surveillance and health risk assessment in challenging, austere conditions.
- Learning about military deployment health and gain experience in environmental data collection.
- Contributing to solutions for difficult environmental health problems in complex environments using remote sensing data from satellite sources.
- Developing, designing and implementing better environmental monitoring and surveillance processes in locations where service members are deployed.
- Learning to analyze environmental health data, assess risk, and summarize health findings for deployed service members using a variety of systems and software.
- Engaging with teams to improve the collection of environmental exposure data to supplement DOD’s existing public health data systems that support deployment health.
Where will I be located?
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
What is the anticipated start date?
The DCPH-A 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.
What is the appointment length?
This appointment is a twelve-month 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 DCPH-A. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Stipend range: $3,500 - $4,500 monthly. Other provisions may include the following:
- Health Insurance Supplement (Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE)
- Training and Travel Allowance
Security Clearance
While participants will not enter an employment relationship with DoD or any other agency, this opportunity will require a suitability investigation/background investigation. Any offer made is considered tentative pending favorable outcome of the investigation.
About DCPH-A
The Defense Health Agency's Defense Centers for Public Health - Aberdeen's mission is to enhance Department of War (DoW) readiness by identifying and assessing current and emerging health threats, developing and communicating public health solutions, and assuring the quality and effectiveness of the DoW's Public Health Enterprise. Their vision is to be a world-class provider of public health services across the Army and DoW.
The Health Risk Assessment Integration Division identifies and assesses legacy, current, and emerging environmental health threats to the joint force and advances the quality, efficiency, and reliability of health risk assessment products and services supporting Force Health Protection, veterans, and the DoW public health enterprise.
For more information about the DCPH-A, please visit https://ph.health.mil/Pages/About.aspx.
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 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.
Salary : $3,500 - $4,500