Environmental Physiology Post-Doctoral Fellowship

What will I be doing?

As part of this learning experience, you and your mentor will be involved in two to four research projects:

• one involving the efficacy of a hypoxia inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor on reducing acute mountain sickness
• another involving testing the reliability and validity of novel wearable sensors to detect oxygen saturation
• a third involving the prediction of heat stroke
• a fourth involving biomarker signatures of heat, cold and altitude acclimatization

Why should I apply?

• Learn and gain experience in organizing and standardizing human data collection procedures
• Develop novel, independent research questions focused on injury and performance
• Engage and collaborate directly with Soldier units
• Gain hands-on experience in field-based data collection techniques and prepare documentation for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval
• Become credentialed as a Principal Investigator
• Apply a broad range of statistical and machine learning methods to human performance data collected in real-world settings
• Develop foundational competencies in research design, exercise physiology, human subject data collection, and statistical analysis using SPSS, SAS, R, and Microsoft Excel
• Strengthen experience in research protocols
• Contribute to writing grant proposals for extramural funding aimed at optimizing the health and performance of Warfighters deployed in extreme environments.

Where will I be located?

Natick, Massachusetts

What is the anticipated start date?

USARIEM is ready to make an appointment as early as March 2026. 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 will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

What is the appointment length?

This appointment is a 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?

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

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.

Application Requirements

• 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)
• 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

Application Instructions

If you have questions, send an email to orise-army-mrdc-riem@orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity, USAMRDC-RIEM-2026-0001, 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.

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