WRAIR - Postdoctoral Fellow in Viral Genomics, Bioinformatics, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Organization

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Reference Code

MRDC-WRAIR-2025-0011

How To Apply

Click on Apply at the bottom of the opportunity to start your application.

Description

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) is offering a postdoctoral-level fellowship in infectious disease research.

What will I be doing?

As an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) participant you will engage in projects that expand your knowledge and research experience in infectious disease research and genomic surveillance, with emphasis on respiratory and febrile/vector-borne pathogens of importance to the Department of Defense (DoD). The experience is designed to provide you exposure to cutting-edge methods in viral evolution, high-throughput sequencing, and computational modeling, while fostering independent research skills and innovation in the application of advanced analytical approaches.

As the selected participant, you may engage in projects that explore both population-level and intra-host pathogen evolution. Research focus areas include transmission dynamics, resistance, host adaptation, disease severity, immune response, and pathogen spread. You may also explore the application of computational approaches to patient metadata and pathogen data, gaining hands-on experience in analyzing large-scale genomic datasets.

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,

• Developing new computational methods and analytical tools, with particular emphasis on machine learning and artificial intelligence approaches.
• Identifying signatures of viral adaptation, improving prediction of evolutionary trends, and integrating multiple data types for enhanced surveillance.
• Gaining advanced training in the use of bioinformatics platforms, phylogenetic and phylodynamic modeling, and modern machine learning frameworks.
• Increasing knowledge in areas that align with the WRAIR mission of advancing pathogen genomics and surveillance.

Where will I be located?

Silver Spring, Maryland

What is the anticipated start date?

WRAIR 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 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 provisions?

You will receive a stipend to be determined by WRAIR. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. 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 WRAIR

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) aims to conduct biomedical research that is responsive to Department of Defense and U.S. Army requirements and delivers lifesaving products including knowledge, technology and medical material that sustain the combat effectiveness of the warfighter. WRAIR provides unique research capabilities and innovative medical solutions to a range of Force Health Protection and Readiness challenges currently facing U.S. Service Members, along with threats anticipated during future operations. These research opportunities include ongoing efforts to identify and treat traumatic brain injury as well as to understand and mitigate the deleterious effects of repeated exposures to blast. For more information about WRAIR, please visit Army Home.

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 applicant will have an earned Ph.D in one of the eligible disciplines. Degree must have been received within five years of appointment start date.

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

• Academic coursework or research experience in genomics, bioinformatics, or computational biology.
• Extensive experience with Unix/Linux environments for managing and analyzing large-scale genomic data.
• Strong capability in programming languages commonly used in bioinformatics, including Python and R, for data analysis, statistical modeling, and visualization.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) systems for large-scale data processing, parallelized workflows, and computationally intensive analyses.
• Demonstrated experience applying phylogenetic and phylodynamic methods to viral sequence data.
• Exposure to machine learning or artificial intelligence methods, particularly as applied to genomics or infectious disease data.
• Experience in next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis, including quality control, assembly, alignment, and variant detection.
• Evidence of independent research experience at the postdoctoral level, with a track record of scholarly publications or presentations in viral genomics, bioinformatics, or computational biology.
• Strong communication skills for effective collaboration in an interdisciplinary research environment.

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 [MRDC-WRAIR-2025-0011] 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.

Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!

Stipend

$70,000.00 – $80,000.00 Yearly

Point of Contact

Kimberly

Eligibility Requirements">1 )

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
• Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (