Postdoctoral Microbiology Fellow

As an ORISE participant, you will join a community of scientists and researchers in an effort to expand your skills in microbiology. WIDs mission is to defeat combat related wound infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria. During your appointment you will be integrated with a research team focused on the pathophysiology of trauma and combat relevant wound infections to include multi-drug resistant organisms and fungi. This fellowship appointment will provide you with an opportunity to significantly contribute to ongoing efforts involving in vivo animal models of wound infection to evaluate novel therapies against wound infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumonia.

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. Along the way, you will engage in activities and research in several areas. These include, but are not limited to:

Writing proposals under guidance of senior scientist

Learning all aspects of the drug development process from early discover through pre-clinical trials

Performing microbiological studies related to trauma-related infections, such as bacterial culture, biofilm formation assay, antibiotic sensitivity tests, in vitro antimicrobial tests and immunological/physiological tests including cytokine/chemokine assessment, immune cell analysis and evaluation of healing

Preparing reports and data summaries as requested and preparing research results for presentation and publication in the scientific literature

Where will I be located? Silver Spring, Maryland

What is the anticipated start date?

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research 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 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.

What are the benefits?

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:
Health Insurance Supplement. Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE.
Relocation Allowance
Training and Travel Allowance
Nature of Appointment

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.

About WRAIR

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) is the largest biomedical research institute in the Department of Defense with a 128-year history in militarily relevant infectious diseases and brain health research. WRAIR has served as a model for the world in the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for the most pressing health issues of concern to soldier health and global health. All components of biomedical research and development are conducted at the Institute laboratories and facilities on four continents via close collaboration with local governments through the US State Department. WRAIR also hosts education programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for students from middle to graduate school and supports research fellowships for post-baccalaureate, post-doctoral and established scientists.

For more information please visit: https://www.wrair.army.mil/

Qualifications
Candidates should possess a Ph.D. in microbiology or a biological science with a minimum of four years of experience with microbiology, molecular biology, and animal experiments (bacterial pathogenesis or bacterial physiology background is preferred).

Please note the following skills and experience are preferred:

Proficient in basic laboratory techniques and mathematics skills.
Experience in animal surgical techniques and rodent handling including anesthesia, euthanasia, blood and other tissue collection, bacterial infections.
Experience with biochemistry techniques preferred i.e. SDS-PAGE, protein purification, FPLC/HPLC, and antibody generation.
Experience with fungi animal models
Ability to perform work at a high level of accuracy and maintain detailed records of research.
Ability to troubleshoot problems and understand why a particular assay failed.
Knowledge of applicable highly complex scientific procedures and techniques relating to opportunity.