The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) is offering a fellowship within their Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division (TMMD). TMMD conducts research to optimize and enhance physical and cognitive performance and prevent illness associated with military operations at environmental extremes, such as heat, cold, high terrestrial altitude, and subterranean spaces. TMMD research supports physiological modeling and military materiel developers of clothing, equipment, food, and pharmaceuticals.

What will I be doing?

As an ORISE participant, you will join a community of scientists and researchers to learn and gain hands-on experience in material and clothing evaluations using standard test methods. The data you collect as a participant will be used for input to thermoregulatory models that predict human responses in extreme environments, primarily extreme heat and cold.

Why should I apply? 

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands-on experience to complement your education and support your academic and professional goals. You will also engage in activities and research in several areas. These include, but are not limited to,

• Collecting data from physical experiments that will be used for thermoregulatory model input.
• Aiding in running thermoregulatory models.
• Creating and maintaining Graphical User Interfaces that serve as user-friendly versions of models.

Where will I be located?

Natick, Massachusetts

What is the anticipated start date?

Immediately. Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate. Applications are reviewed continuously, and fellowships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

 What is the appointment length? 

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. The participation rate will be full-time (40 hours/week).

What are the benefits? 

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

• Health Insurance Supplement (Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE)
• Relocation Allowance
• Training and Travel Allowance

About USARIEM

USARIEM is internationally recognized as the DoD's premier laboratory for Warfighter health and performance research and focuses on environmental medicine, physiology, physical and cognitive performance, and nutrition research. 

About ORISE

This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and DoD. Participants do not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD, or any other office or agency. Instead, you will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. For more information, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense.

The qualified candidate will have a bachelor's or master's degree (or will complete their degree by May 2023) in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a similar discipline. The degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Highly competitive applicants will have education and/or experience in one or more of the following:

• Familiarity or strong interests in operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing electromechanical systems.
• Knowledge of basic physics and engineering principles with an emphasis on heat transfer and thermodynamics. 
• Knowledge or strong interest in the thermal performance of textiles/clothing, physiology, human science, the interaction between humans and clothing, and biomedical engineering.
• Advanced computing skills (experience with C#, Java, and/or MATLAB preferred).
• Must be conscientious, highly motivated, able to conduct research independently, and have strong interpersonal skills.
• Clear oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interest and willingness to learn about evaluating textiles and clothing using standard test methods (e.g., thermal manikins), physiology, and mathematical modeling. 

This research routinely involves lifting 25 – 50 pounds.