Participating Lab: U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL)
The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory’s mission is to deliver aeromedical innovation and solutions – using rigorous research, advanced testing, and multidisciplinary collaboration – to set standards and design systems that save lives and optimize Warfighter performance. The Laboratory’s unique mix of scientific personnel, made up of engineers (general, biomedical, mechanical, electrical), flight surgeons, audiologists, optometrists, and research psychologists, successfully conduct critical research for solving operationally relevant medical problems and collaborate with military developers to enhance the performance and safety of future Army systems. USAARL’s areas of research expertise include operator health and performance in complex systems; the en route care environment; blunt, blast, and accelerative injury and protection; crew survival in rotary-wing aircraft and combat vehicles; and sensory performance, injury, and protection.
Lab Address:
Fort Rucker, AL
Lab Website:
https://usaarl.health.mil/
Relevant Disciplines
- Acoustical Engineer
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cognitive Science
- Computer Engineering
- Data Analysis
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Physics
- Physiology
- Pre-Med
Research Opportunities Available
Click on a research opportunity to see details.
USAARL-001
Airworthiness Testing
Research Opportunity Location:
Fort Rucker, AL
Research Opportunity Description:
The intern will learn to administer and execute test plans, performing as test engineer in laboratory procedures, testing, research activities, and other scientific and administrative tasks in fields such as aerospace, electrical, mechanical, biomedical, optical, or acoustical engineering or other related field. The intern will use principles of and integrate aspects of the scientific, engineering, and medical fields to accomplish project goals. The intern will assist with developing testing procedures and data collection necessary to execute project goals; acquiring, analyzing, and evaluating data gathered during tests and assuring accurate and complete documentation of test execution; and preparing test interim and final reports, presentations, papers, and other documentation on test progress and findings.
Research Opportunity Skill Set:
Recommended skillsets including but not limited to, experience in electrical, mechanical, acoustical engineering, applied mathematics (e.g., linear systems analysis), and computer programming (e.g., MATLAB, C++, machine vision, AI or expert systems development). Majors- Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Biomedical Engineer
USAARL-002
En Route Care and Medical Evacuation Research
Research Opportunity Location:
Fort Rucker, AL
Research Opportunity Description:
The intern will engage in research and test activities to include data reduction and analysis, test readiness procedures, and generation of reports for the Patient and Casualty Evacuation Research (PACER) Group’s projects. These projects include examining ways to improve awareness of patients, and examining ways to provide advanced assistance to flight medics during air medical evacuation. The group will also be performing research related to unmanned aerial system casualty evacuation.
Research Opportunity Skill Set:
Primary Discipline includes Acoustic Engineering. Other Potentially Relevant Disciplines include Audiology, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science (if data analysis focused). Recommended Skillsets include strong understanding of acoustics principles, experience with data acquisition and analysis, knowledge of ANSI standards related to hearing protection (ANSI S3.22, etc.) (desired but not required), and proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., MATLAB, Python, R).
USAARL-003
Hearing Protection Test Battery
Research Opportunity Location:
Fort Rucker, AL
Research Opportunity Description:
This research opportunity involves the test and evaluation of various hearing protection devices utilizing American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and custom tests. The intern will gain hands-on experience with acoustic measurement techniques, data analysis, and the application of ANSI standards to hearing protection. The intern will participate in a comprehensive test battery, including the following: Real-Ear Attenuation at Threshold (REAT) Testing ANSI S12.6-2016: Evaluating the noise reduction provided at different frequencies using REAT methodologies; Continuous Noise Insertion Loss Testing in ANSI/ASA S12.42: Assessing the effectiveness of the earmuffs in reducing continuous noise exposure; Impulse Noise Insertion Loss Testing ANSI/ASA S12.42-2010: Measuring the protection provided against sudden, high-intensity impulse noises; Localization Testing S3.71: Investigating the impact of earmuffs on a user's ability to localize sound sources; Speech Intelligibility Testing ANSI S3.2-2009: Evaluating how earmuffs affect speech understanding in different listening environments and communication scenarios; Dynamic Range Testing: Measuring the range of sound levels the earmuffs can handle without distortion; Custom Noise Floor Testing of TAC-HP Earmuffs: Determining the lowest level of noise that is audible through the earmuffs; and Custom Radio Output Volume Testing of TAC-HP Earmuffs: Testing and assessing the volume level of radio signals coming from the TAC-HP Earmuffs.
Research Opportunity Skill Set:
Primary Discipline includes Acoustic Engineering. Other Potentially Relevant Disciplines include Audiology, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science (if data analysis focused). Recommended Skillsets include strong understanding of acoustics principles, experience with data acquisition and analysis, knowledge of ANSI standards related to hearing protection (ANSI S3.22, etc.) (desired but not required), and proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., MATLAB, Python, R).
USAARL-004
Preferred academic disciplines include Optics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science.
Research Opportunity Location:
Fort Rucker, AL
Research Opportunity Description:
The intern will assist in the research, development, and testing of advanced optical systems for cutting-edge avionics applications. Under the mentorship of experienced engineers and scientists, the intern will gain hands-on experience in the lab, supporting projects that may involve laser communications, optical sensing, and other critical aerospace technologies. Responsibilities include performing laboratory measurements, operating specialized optical test equipment, collecting and analyzing data, and documenting test procedures and results. This role provides an excellent opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world engineering challenges, contribute to mission-critical projects, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced applied research environment.
Research Opportunity Skill Set:
Preferred academic disciplines include Optics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science.