NCTR supports various programs which provide opportunities for postgraduates to work in our laboratories with experienced and well-known researchers.

Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education (ORISE) Postgraduate Research Program

This program allows recent postgraduates (postdoctoral, predoctoral, and postbaccalaurate) an opportunity to initiate and conduct independent or collaborative research which complements projects at NCTR. Applicants should have received a graduate degree in an appropriate discipline within three years of the desired starting date, or should expect to complete all requirements for such a degree prior to the desired starting date. This program is open to all qualified U.S. citizens, permanent resident aliens, and foreign nationals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, age, handicap or national origin. Appointments are for one year and can be extended for additional periods up to three years in one-year increments. Applications must be submitted to: ORISE Postgraduate Research Program, PO Box 117, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117. ORISE provides no benefits for these temporary appointments. All participants must have health insurance prior to the effective date of appointment, and NCTR provides a monthly allowance (added to the stipend) for the purchase of health insurance. ORISE will process a J-1 visa or accept an F-1 (Period of Practical Training) visa according to Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) requirements for a foreign national applicant selected for the program. www.orau.gov/orise.htm

ORISE Faculty Research Program

This program provides university faculty the opportunity to initiate and conduct independent or collaborative research which complements projects at NCTR. Those participants with sabbatical appointments must have one-half of their salary paid by their home institution. Participants must be full-time faculty members at accredited U.S. or foreign colleges or universities. The program is open to all qualified U.S. residents and permanent resident aliens without regard to race, sex, religion, color, age, handicap or national origin. Appointments are usually for one month to 12 weeks during the summer. Sabbatical appointments are available during the academic year. Stipends are provided, although there is no allowance for the purchase of health insurance. No benefits are provided and appointees must have health insurance. ORISE will process a J-1 visa according to INS requirements for a foreign national applicant selected for the program. www.orau.gov/orise.htm

ORISE Foreign National Training Program

The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for recent postgraduates and full-time university faculty members from foreign countries to initiate and conduct independent or collaborative research that complements projects at NCTR. Appointments range from one month to one year and may be extended in increments of one year or less until the research is completed. No benefits are provided and appointees must have health and medical insurance. ORISE will process a J-1 visa (Exchange Visitor Program) according to INS requirements for a foreign national applicant selected for the program. www.orau.gov/orise.htm

Veterans Administration (VA) Postgraduate Program

The purpose of this program is to attract talented scientists to conduct health-related research in many disciplines, including biochemical toxicology, genetic toxicology, reproductive and developmental toxicology, and neurotoxicology. Applicants must have a doctoral degree and must be either U.S. citizens or non-citizens who will be eligible for citizenship within four years. Appointments are for one year and may be extended in one-year increments for a total of three years. Participants receive a salary, plus annual and sick leave and insurance benefits.

Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program (INTOX)

The INTOX program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is an accredited graduate program which grants advanced degrees in toxicology. The program generally takes four to five years to complete and, according to a UAMS/NCTR agreement, INTOX students may have an ORISE student research appointment that allows them to conduct original research at NCTR to fulfill Ph.D. requirements. As is the case for all ORISE appointments, students receive stipends and must have health insurance.

Science Teachers Research Involvement for Vital Education (STRIVE)

This is an eight-week summer program restricted to Arkansas junior high and high school science and math teachers. Participants have respective research projects mentored by senior scientific staff in conjunction with ongoing NCTR experiments. The projects culminate in oral presentations at the end of the eight-week period. The UALR/STRIVE staff conduct regular workshops designed to explore ways to integrate laboratory experience into teaching activities and to develop innovative methods to communicate the nature of science more effectively to students. The program is funded by a grant to UALR from the National Science Foundation with matching funds from corporations, not-for-profit entities, and state and federal agencies. Participants receive stipends for the eight-week appointments. To apply, a teacher must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident Alien, a full-time teacher of grades 7-12, teach mathematics, science or computer courses and be employed by an Arkansas school district. Application must be made to Arkansas/STRIVE at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where a committee evaluates all applications and selects program participants for the various STRIVE sites throughout the state. www.ualr.edu/~strive

Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

This program provides 10-week NCTR appointments to undergraduates and graduate students majoring in science or mathematics. The students are mentored by senior scientific staff and have research projects that culminate in oral presentations. A committee evaluates the applications with scores weighted by the number of science or mathematics courses and GPAs. Applicants must be in good standing at an accredited U.S. college or university or accepted as an entering graduate student at an accredited U.S. college or university, must have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher (based on A=4.0), and must be a U.S. citizen with proof of health insurance prior to beginning an appointment. Stipends are based on education level and are considered fellowship grants. Deadline for applications is approximately the first week of March for May/June of that calendar year. www.orau/orise.htm

Academic Enrichment for Gifted in Summer (AEGIS)

AEGIS is a three-week summer program for academically superior Arkansas high school students in grades 10 - 12. Students must have demonstrated a high degree of interest in science or mathematics. This program encourages students to expand their creative and problem-solving skills in a scientific laboratory environment mentored by NCTR senior research staff with a daily schedule consisting of classroom studies, laboratory demonstrations and presentations by senior investigators. The program culminates with oral presentations of research results using the NCTR graphics facilities. Funding is provided by an Arkansas State Department of Education grant to the Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative (ARESC), which coordinates the program and provides a full-time teacher and program coordinator. Application is made to ARESC through the student’s respective high school Gifted and Talented Program. There are no stipends, and program participants must have health insurance.

Science Internship Program (SIP)

The Science Internship Program is designed for science and mathematics students enrolled full-time in undergraduate or graduate schools located in the NCTR commuting area. The program provides long-term development and hands-on research and laboratory experience mentored by FDA scientists for students preparing for future careers in toxicology, regulatory science, or related scientific disciplines. During regular semesters, student participants may work a maximum of 20 hours per week and convert to 40 hours per week during holiday periods and summer. Stipends are determined by the level of education and are considered fellowship grants. Applicants must be in good standing at an accredited U.S. college or university or accepted as an entering graduate student at an accredited U.S. college or university, have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher (based on A=4.0), a U.S citizen, and provide proof of health insurance prior to beginning an appointment. Students may apply at any time. www.orau/orise.htm