Fellowship in Human Performance, Nutrition, and Gut Microbiology at USARIEM

Organization
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Reference Code
USAMRMC-RIEM-2022-0010
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), Military Nutrition Division (MND) is offering a postgraduate fellowship at the Natick, Massachusetts facility. 

What will I be doing?

As an ORISE participant, you will join a community of scientists and researchers in an effort to better understand the impact of nutrition on military personnel.

Studies within the MND have identified relationships between the gut microbiota, physiology, metabolism, and health and performance outcomes in military personnel. Ongoing studies seek to use nutritional approaches targeting the gut microbiota to improve military performance. The MND is seeking a postdoctoral fellow and post-master's research technician to engage in this line of research.

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 have the opportunity to:
  • Engage in the execution of randomized controlled trials conducted at the USARIEM and locations throughout the U.S. 
  • Contribute to the development of research proposals and protocols that aim to use nutrition interventions that target and leverage the human gut microbiota to improve human performance.
  • Gain experience in the design and execution of human nutrition research.
  • Learn and apply bioinformatics techniques to analyze multi-omics data sets to elucidate interactions between nutrition, stress and the gut microbiota in relation to cognition and physical performance and underlying mechanisms.
  • Learn and conduct research techniques including ELISA, qPCR, flow cytometry, high-throughput DNA sequencing, indirect calorimetry, stable isotopes, and exercise testing.
  • Co-author manuscripts and present research at scientific conferences.
  • Interact with internationally recognized scientists in the fields of nutrition science, environmental physiology, experimental psychology, exercise science and microbiology. 

Mentoring and training will be under the direction of Dr. J. Philip Karl, Nutrition Physiologist.

Where will I be located? 

Natick, Massachusetts

What is the anticipated start date?

USARIEM 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 fellowships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

What is the appointment length? 

Appointments are initially for one year with the option to extend the appointment for up to four additional years, contingent upon project needs and funding availability.

What are the benefits? 

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

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

About USARIEM

USARIEM, located 20 miles from downtown Boston in Natick, Massachusetts, is an internationally recognized center for nutrition, physiology, and environmental medicine research within the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command. The USARIEM MND conducts research in our laboratories and at locations in the U.S. and abroad focused on nutritional and physiological issues affecting the health, performance and mission-readiness of military personnel.

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

Candidates should have recently earned a doctoral or master’s degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, microbial ecology, or a closely related field, and have some background in the biological sciences. Alternatively, candidates should have recently earned a doctoral or master’s degree in nutrition science, exercise physiology or a closely related field and have a strong background in bioinformatics, computational biology, microbial ecology, or a closely related field.  Degree must have been earned within five years of the appointment start date.

Highly competitive applicants will have demonstrated proficiency with written and oral communication, exemplary organizational skills, and strong analytical and computational research skills.

U.S. Citizenship and travel are required.

The successful applicant will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the host facility, including but not limited to COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing vaccination).

Application Requirements

A complete application consists of:

  • Zintellect Profile
  • Educational and Employment History
  • CV and Cover Letter describing achievements, research interests, career goals, reason for interest and suitability for this appointment (maximum 2 pages) - please upload to resume section on application
  • 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.
  • Two Recommendations

If you have questions, send an email to ARMY-MRMC@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity [USAMRMC-RIEM-2022-0010] in the subject line of the email. 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.

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Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
    • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
    • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
    • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
    • Engineering (27 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
    • Physics (16 )
    • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (28 )
  • Age: Must be 18 years of age
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