DoD Postdoctoral Biomedical Internship

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) aims to conduct biomedical research that is responsive to Department of Defense and U.S. Army requirements to deliver lifesaving products including knowledge, technology and medical material that sustain the combat effectiveness of the warfighter. WRAIR carries out research to develop infectious disease countermeasures and to benefit brain health through studies to enhance our understanding of sleep, traumatic brain injury prevention/treatment and psychological resilience.

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) is a leading institute devoted to a multifaceted biomedical research program aimed towards improving health and preventing diseases of US troops stationed at home and abroad. Malaria Biologic Branch (MBB) within the WRAIR Center for Infectious Diseases, focuses its resources towards preventing malaria, an infectious disease caused by the vector-borne Plasmodium parasites, amongst US troops deployed in malaria endemic areas. Understanding the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest forms of malaria, and its stages of development within the mammalian host, improving malaria diagnostic tools, and developing anti-malaria preventative immunoprophylactics, such as monoclonal antibodies and T cell therapies, are amongst the key efforts being undertaken by the scientists in MBB.

The scientists within the Department of Cellular Immunology of MBB focus on two related areas of research concerning preventative and protective aspects of malaria: (1) understanding the liver stage of Plasmodium development, including the expression of unique liver-stage antigens; (2) applying liver immune response towards induction of anti-malaria effector function of antigen-specific T cells and B cells as well as producing monoclonal antibodies that target liver-stage antigens. The participant will be afforded the opportunity to learn about the role the liver plays as an immune organ during infection with Plasmodium spp. The participant will be able to conduct experiments that focus on the network of liver-specific immune responses that include liver-resident T cells, B cells, NK cells, tissue specific macrophages, and dendritic cells. The participant will become familiar with the use of various state-of-the-art equipment, such as 15 color flow cytometry, and will gain expertise in planning and conducting experiments that rely on approaches that require the development of novel immunological assays, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The participant will also gain experience presenting findings to the WRAIR community and to scientists at national meetings. This research opportunity will extend to include collaborations with other investigators at WRAIR, as well as collaborators at NIH NIAID Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccines, and Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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 WRAIR. 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.