Defense Centers for Public Health - Aberdeen: Entomology Laboratory Undergraduate Summer Internship

The Department of Defense (DoD) is offering undergraduate internship at the Defense Centers for Public Health - Aberdeen (DCPH-A).

As an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) participant, you will join a community of scientists and researchers in an effort to understand and improve insecticide resistance on the most difficult pests to eradicate in the United States. Rearing procedures of pest species under laboratory conditions, particularly bed bugs, is a key component to support testing efforts that will contribute to the understanding of such resistance and further improvement control tools.

Under a mentor’s guidance/teaching, you will have the opportunity of a multifaceted experience which will include processing and identifying field collected bed bugs and potential related species received from across the United States; identifying, characterizing and sorting colonies; and learning the preparation for testing trials. In collaboration with the mentor, you will utilize the scientific method to answer applicable questions than can have a significant impact through this project mission.

Edgewood, Maryland

Desired appointment start date is June 1, 2023.   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.

This appointment is a three-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.

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

The Defense Health Agency (or DCPH-A) supports our Nation by improving health and building readiness — making extraordinary experiences ordinary and exceptional outcomes routine. The Entomological Sciences Division (ESD) supports the DHA mission and vision by fostering the prevention of exposure to vector-borne diseases, hazardous plants/animals, and pesticides. The ESD provides diagnostic, investigative and educational services in direct support of military personnel, their families and the entire DoD community. To assist with this mission, the ESD is seeking candidates with background in biological sciences and some interest in entomology. For more information about the DCPH-A, please visit https://phc.amedd.army.mil/Pages/default.aspx 

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 an earned high school diploma, associate or bachelor's degree, or are current undergraduate students pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree with an anticipated graduation by May 31, 2024. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

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