Cognitive Workload Research Opportunity

The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) located at Fort Rucker, Alabama, is a nationally recognized laboratory for research into safety, survival, impact tolerance, sustainability and performance effectiveness of aviators and Soldiers. The USAARL’s research focuses on blunt, blast and accelerative injury and protection; crew survival in military helicopters and combat vehicles; the en route care environment; human operator health and performance in complex systems and sensory performance, injury and protection. Current USAARL work for the Army’s modernization priorities includes research in the areas of future vertical lift, the next generation combat vehicle and directed-energy weapons. The Laboratory’s highly skilled workforce consists of rated aviators, medical professionals, doctoral- and masters-level researchers, and research technicians. Visit https://www.usaarl.army.mil/ to learn more about USAARL.

This is an educational opportunity in science and technology in which the participant will be mentored by experienced scientists. The participant will be mentored through the steps necessary to complete the entire research process to include proposal writing, protocol initiation, protocol approvals, protocol modifications, data collection, analysis, and report/peer reviewed publication write-up. The participant will learn to collaborate within the research team environment and learn the details necessary to successfully complete all aspects of research. The participant will contribute to the development of a valid and generalizable cognitive workload measurement scale to be used transparently with complex real world tasks. The participant will have the opportunity to participate in this research and perform data collection and analyses. The product of this research is an objective, biomarker-based scale to characterize calibrated levels of cognitive workload for transparent on-line monitoring in real-time of operator’s psychophysiological state.

Please note, the selected participant will have access to proprietary information and HIPAA information and will undergo a background investigation and must obtain a favorable clearance in order to participate. An interim clearance is required prior to the candidate starting his/her appointment.

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.

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

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOD, or any other office or agency. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

While participants will not enter into 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.

Post-Bachelor's, Post-Master's

1 year experience in either a scientific research setting or in a technical field associated with the DoD.