Post-Bachelor's Materials Science Research Internship

The Department of Defense (DoD) is offering a post-bachelor's internship at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC).

As an ORISE participant, you will join a community of scientists and researchers where you will learn from a laboratory experience and contribute to DEVCOM SC’s disruptive innovation in advanced optical materials: biopigments, biomaterials, and metamaterials, all of which have novel optical (visible and infrared) properties, such as high index of refraction, bio-inspired facile synthesis, and reconfigurability (especially with magnetic fields). Biomaterials are inspired by Nature’s exquisite amplification and fine-tuning of diverse physical and chemical phenomena over millennia. Metamaterials are artificially engineered to have remarkable spectral properties, often predicted theoretically and elegantly from first principles, not normally occurring in Nature. Both categories of materials offer a wide range of physical and chemical behaviors, and are increasingly capable of technological breakthroughs.

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 gain experience and hopefully a more profound interest in laboratory research, critical to developing new US technology in advanced optical, bio-inspired, and magnetic materials. Along the way, you will engage in activities and research in several areas. These may include, but are not limited to:

Natick, Massachusetts

The DEVCOM-SC 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.

This part-time appointment is a six-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 DEVCOM-SC. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other benefits may include the following:

The U.S. Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center is located at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Massachusetts, under the Army's Futures Command. Stretching back to 1954, the CCDC Soldier Center's history of support for the Soldier has continued uninterrupted for more than six decades, with a focus on Soldier-related research, development, testing and evaluation efforts. If Soldiers wear it, eat it, sleep under it, or have it airdropped to them in theater, it can be traced back to the CCDC Soldier Center. Diverse expertise comprised of scientists, engineers, technologists and equipment designers, the CCDC Soldier Center provides a wide range of capabilities to the Soldier, to include field feeding and life support systems, protective clothing, precision airdrop systems, and ballistic, chemical and laser-protection systems, and human performance optimization.

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 degree. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date. 

Highly competitive applicants will have some previous laboratory research experience, an interest in learning experimental physics and chemistry research, a demonstrated work ethic, and the ability to drive to the facility.