Bioprocessing and bioengineering laboratory support intern

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC-SC) is located at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Center in Natick, Massachusetts, under the Army Futures Command. CCDC-SC supports Soldier-related research, development, testing and evaluation efforts. CCDC-SC’s highly skilled team of scientist perform a variety of research that includes, Soldier's uniforms, meals ready to eat (MREs), tents, sleeping bags, to parachutes and airdrop capabilities. If the Soldiers wear it, eat it, sleep under it, or have it airdropped to them, the product research and development can be traced back to the mission of CCDC-SC.

As an ORISE participant at CCDC-SC, you will be supporting the bioprocessing and bioengineering laboratory taking part in the operation of automated in vitro fermentation bioreactors to explore the human gut microbiome. During your appointment you will support media preparation and learn/employ both sterile and anaerobic techniques to store and cultivate human gut bacteria. This learning experience will also allow you to showcase your current knowledge, as the microbiome research efforts require media preparation, bioreactor setup and sample collection. Under the guidance of a mentor you will take part in executing ELISA assays on saliva samples collected during BC2 MASTR-E efforts, which will be critical to timely sample analysis. Other objectives during your appointment will entail assisting with assembly of bioreactor vessels, sampling from the vessels, performing quantitative protein assays, performing sample extractions for protein, short chain fatty acid, and DNA analysis, and performing ELISAs-based assays for targeted biomarkers. During your appointment you will also learn to execute more routine assays with established protocols, while observing senior researchers execute the complex functions within the microbiome research such as experimental planning, process control, bioinformatics analysis and biostatistics.

The summer internship will be at the Natick Soldier Center. 

For more information about the CCDC-Soldier Center please see:  https://ccdcsoldiercenter.army.mil/#/whoweare

An ORISE appointment period can be a short-term (less than 2 weeks), summer (10-12 weeks), or yearlong appointment. Faculty appointments are generally for 10-12 weeks during the summer, but appointments during the academic year are also available. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant. Desired appointment start date 5/18/2020.

Participants will receive a stipend to be determined by CCDC Soldier Center. 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.