MRICD Neuroscience Research Opportunity

Reference Code: USAMRDC-MRICD-2026-0011

About the role

The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD), located at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Gunpowder, MD, is the Department of Defense's lead laboratory for medical chemical defense research. As a subordinate element of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), USAMRICD conducts research to develop medical countermeasures for treating exposure to various chemical threat agents, protecting both soldiers and civilians.

Scientific disciplines at USAMRICD include chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, neuroscience, toxicology, physiology, psychology, and immunology. This opportunity is for current or recently graduated BS, MS, or PhD candidates to engage in in vivo studies identifying therapeutics against chemical threat agents.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement in vivo pharmacology studies to assess therapeutics against chemical-induced toxicity.
• Participate in cell culture studies.
• Gain experience in ex vivo muscle tension studies (mouse diaphragm preparation).
• Participate in immunohistochemistry and microscopy studies on brain tissue.
• Conduct behavioral assays of motor, cognitive, and emotional function.
• Participate in small animal surgery.
• Utilize telemetric physiological assessments of brain, cardiac, and motor function.
• Prepare and write manuscripts for publication.
• Prepare and present scientific findings at conferences.
• Obtain experience with grant writing.

Under mentor guidance, you will collaborate on research projects, including:

• In vivo pharmacology and toxicology experiments to determine age and sex differences in chemical-induced seizure, epileptogenesis, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. This includes evaluating therapeutics to mitigate cholinergic-induced seizure effects using methodologies such as telemetry for EEG seizure assessment, microscopy for neurodegeneration, and behavioral tests for motor, sensorimotor, emotional, and cognitive function.
• Tiered studies using cell culture, ex vivo, and in vivo approaches to evaluate neurotoxin toxicity and therapeutic efficacy. Methodologies include electrophysiological techniques in cultured neuron-like cells and tension recordings in isolated nerve-muscle preparations.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Currently pursuing or possess a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degree in Neuroscience, Physiology, Pharmacology, Toxicology, or another eligible STEM discipline. Degree must have been received within 5 years of the appointment start date.
• U.S. military veterans honorably discharged (or medically discharged due to a service-connected disability) with a degree received within 10 years of the desired start date are also eligible.
• Experience with in vivo studies in small animals, cell culture, and/or ex vivo preparation is preferred.
• Microscopy experience and excellent writing skills preferred.

Location

Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

Appointment Details

• This is a 12-month research appointment, with the possibility of renewal for additional research periods depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and participant availability.
• Appointments may begin as soon as a candidate is selected, with applications reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Benefits

• Stipend to be determined by USAMRICD, commensurate with education and experience.
• Health Insurance Supplement (eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE).
• Relocation Allowance.
• Training and Travel Allowance.

About the Program

This program is 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). It was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and DoD. Participants do not enter into an employer/employee relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD, or any other office or agency. Instead, you will be affiliated with ORISE for appointment administration. Proof of health insurance is required for participation.

Additional Information

Dr. Lucille Lumley (Lange) is a Neuroscientist whose research focuses on Nerve Agent Countermeasures, aiming to mitigate the acute and long-term effects of exposure to organophosphorus nerve agents. Her work emphasizes the toxic effects of chemical agents and the efficacy of therapeutics, particularly identifying anti-seizure medications to reduce neuropathological effects of benzodiazepine-refractory status epilepticus following nerve agent exposure when treatment is delayed.

For more details, visit her bibliography: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/1TCn-bKqBU0kF/bibliography/48613537/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending.