WRAIR - Research Fellowship in Bioinformatics, Microbial Genomics and Antibiotic Resistance

Reference Code

MRDC-WRAIR-2025-0009

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through Zintellect at www.zintellect.com

Description

The Department of Defense (DoD) is offering a Post Bachelor's, Post Master's and Post Doctoral internships at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) located in Silver Spring, Maryland. Within WRAIR, the Multidrug-Resistant Organism Repository and Surveillance Network (MRSN) is a unique entity that serves as the primary surveillance organization for antibiotic-resistant bacteria across the Military Health System (MHS). The laboratory receives and processes (routine ID, Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing and Whole Genome Sequencing) ~1,000 new isolates of ESKAPE+ pathogens every month from military hospitals across the world, and routinely collaborates with other U.S. Government agencies, allied nations, and academic research institutions. Our work directly impacts the DoD and MHS by:

• Providing real-time analysis, at the genomic scale, of the prevalence and mobility of “superbugs”, outbreak and antibiotic resistance genes.
• Conducting retrospective and prospective analyses on the emergence of antibiotic resistance and bacterial epidemiology across the entire enterprise.
•  Assisting healthcare centers and infection control services to detect and appropriately respond to outbreaks using the most advanced and accurate molecular methods available

What will I be doing?

Under the guidance of a mentor and as the selected candidate, you will gain extensive experience in the following:

• Performing the comparative genomic analysis of hundreds of epidemiology-linked isolates (ongoing outbreaks in military hospitals) of MDR Enterococcus spp. Staphylococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacter spp., and Escherichia coli.
• Using a variety of bioinformatic tools and software to analyze bacterial genomes for the purpose of outbreak investigations and local, national, and international bacterial epidemiology.
• Collaborating extensively with internal and external researchers on the molecular genetics of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• Analyzing and researching the global dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and participate in real-time surveillance for these organisms throughout the MHS.
• Gaining hands-on knowledge of both short-read and long-read DNA sequences using the Illumina Miseq and Nextseq systems and the Oxford Nanopore MinIon platform.
• Conducting analyses using the most state-of-the-art software and bioinformatics tools. 
• Programming experience using Linux, Python, R.

Broadly speaking, you will have the opportunity to have advanced hands-on learning experiences that will greatly enhance your professional career goals. 

Why should I apply?

Under the mentorship of WRAIR staff, you will be part of establishing a fundamental understanding of translational, military-relevant scientific research. You will be encouraged to expand your network of scientific colleagues and seek collaborations within the U.S. Department of Defense, academia, and commercial companies. Furthermore, you will be challenged to develop new and innovative methods for analyzing bacterial genomes and will have the opportunity to make significant contributions to this emerging field while conducting research in one of the most comprehensive sequencing laboratories in the USA.

Where will I be located?

Silver Spring, Maryland

What is the anticipated start date?

The 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.

Appointment Length

This appointment is a twelve-month, 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? 

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 provisions may include the following:

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