In Vitro Lung Models Internship Opportunity

he Department of Defense (DoD) U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command - Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRDC MRICD) located in Edgewood, Maryland is offering an internship opportunity for applicants who are current students or who have recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in an eligible STEM discipline. This research project includes high-throughput pharmacology and toxicology experiments to determine basic mechanisms of actions as well as evaluating and developing treatment regimens for chemical exposures. 

Why should I apply?

Under the mentorship of Todd Stueckle, Ph.D., you will join a team of scientists investigating in vitro techniques for identifying therapeutics against chemical threats.  As the selected participant, your experiences will include:

• Preparing air-liquid interface in vitro models of the human lung
• Gaining experience preparing routine chemical and drug solutions
• Conducting in-depth analysis of high-throughput data
• Interpreting fluorescent image, biochemical, and gene expression data to determine underlying biological mechanisms
• Learning how artificial intelligence models can interpret biological data
• Documenting and writing detailed methods and results descriptions of experiments for publication in scientific journals or presentation to scientific conferences
• Developing figures, tables, and graphs.

You learning outcomes from this experience include learning state-of-the-art in vitro techniques, understanding approaches to evaluate chemical inhalation exposures, and gaining skills to interpret biological processes from multiple lines of evidence. In addition, you will gain experience in critical thinking, interpersonal collaboration, and verbal/written communication skills.  Collectively, this experience will prepare you for graduate school or other professional opportunities in the life sciences.

Where will I be located?

Edgewood, Maryland

What is the anticipated start date?

The USAMRDC MRICD is ready to make appointments immediately. Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and internships or fellowships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

What is the appointment length? 

This is a 1-year research appointment with the possibility to be renewed for additional research periods. Appointments may be extended on funding availability, project assignment, and availability of the participant. Applicants with questions regarding this opportunity can reach out to Dr. Todd Stueckle at todd.a.stueckle.civ@health.mil.

What are the provisions?

You will receive a stipend to be determined by USAMRICD. The stipend range for a 12-month appointment is commensurate with experience; for a bachelor’s level intern ranges from $54,000-$60,000 per year.

Other provisions may include the following:

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

About USAMRDC MRICD

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 Development Command (USAMRDC), 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.  For more information about the USAMRDC MRICD, please visit https://usamricd.health.mil/.

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 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.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate will have completed or are currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, biology, toxicology, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, occupational and environmental science, immunology or related STEM discipline.  Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.   U.S. military veterans who have been honorably discharged (or who have been medically discharged because of a service-connected disability) and who received a bachelor's degree within ten years of the desired start date are also eligible.

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

• Experience with at least one of the following: inhalation exposure, aerosol generation, high-throughput screening, biochemical assay development, and/or gene and protein expression.
• Previous biomedical research laboratory experience

Candidate must be willing to handle and manipulate human tissues and cultured cells.

Application Requirements

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Educational and Employment History
• Essay Questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)
• Resume (PDF)
• Transcripts/Academic Records - Please upload a copy of a transcript for your current or most recent degree program that meets the disciplinary qualifications of the opportunity. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• Two Recommendations. We encourage you to contact your recommenders as soon as you start your application to ensure they are able to complete the recommendation form and to let them know to expect a message from Zintellect. Recommenders will be asked to rate your scientific capabilities, personal characteristics, and describe how they know you. You can always log back in to your Zintellect account and check the status of your application.

If you have questions, send an email to ARMY-MRMC@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity [USAMRDC-MRICD-2026-0002] in the subject line of the email. Please understand that ORISE does not review applications or select applicants; selections are made by the sponsoring agency identified on this opportunity. All application materials should be submitted via the “Apply” button at the bottom of this opportunity listing.  Please do not send application materials to the email address above.