Post-Bachelor's Data Science Research

The United States Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) global mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for Department of Defense personnel missing from past conflicts to their families and the nation. DPAA's world-class workforce fulfills our nation’s obligation by maximizing the number of missing personnel accounted for while ensuring timely, accurate information is provided to their families. This opportunity is located in Offutt AFB, Nebraska. For more about our agency and mission please see www.DPAA.mil.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will assist a team of forensic anthropologists and data scientists in creating new methods and software applications to directly benefit DPAA forensic science casework. Specifically, the participant will support the Commingled Remains and Analytics (CoRA) ecosystem enterprise architecture and design team. Participants will follow the Agile development framework that will use the SCRUM methodology and industry best practices for IT development. They will also use modern toolsets such as Git for version control and PHPStorm as their Integrated Development Environment. In coordination with DPAA, participants will gain experience in the development of a responsive web application based on a Model View Controller framework using a LAMP stack with Postgresql as the back end relational database. This opportunity will enable participants to gain real-world experience in computer and data science while pursuing STEM education in a university setting.

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 DPAA. 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.

College degree (BS or BA) in computer science or related discipline. Candidates are considered more favorable if they are pursuing an advanced degree during the tenure of their ORISE appointment.

The participant should have coding and database experience.

U.S. Citizenship is required.