Medical Countermeasures Research Opportunity

The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD) 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 Materiel Command (USAMRMC), the institute conducts research for development of medical countermeasures to treat exposure to various chemical threat agents for protection of soldiers and civilians. Scientific disciplines at USAMRICD include, but are not limited to, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, neuroscience, toxicology, physiology, psychology, and immunology.

This opportunity supports the development of medical countermeasures against chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNAs). CWNAs are extremely toxic compounds that bind to and inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Bioscavengers are enzymes that act to clear CWNAs from the bloodstream before these toxic compounds are able to transition into the central or peripheral nervous system and inhibit AChE. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will aid in the development of a medical system to purify the bloodstream from CWNAs using bioscavengers and the process of dialysis. The participant will maintain laboratory chemicals and supplies, become familiar with biochemical enzyme activity assays, and learn a variety of in vitro techniques including dialysis, spectophotometric systems, convergence chromatography/mass spectrometry, and protein expression and purification. In addition, the participant will also gain experience in writing abstracts and manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and preparing posters for presentation at scientific meetings.

This appointment is a 12-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 MRICD. 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.

Degree Requirement: Master's Degree

GPA requirement: 2.8 and above.