USDA-ARS Soils Laboratory Biological Science Internship
*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.
ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The main location is Kearneysville, West Virginia.
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.
Research Project: The participant will partake in research activities related to drought tolerance screening of temperate fruit crops for improving the resilience of the Mid-Atlantic production region to drought stress. The participant will become familiar with and assist with the operation of specialized plant physiology monitoring equipment. Elsewhere, the participant will have the opportunity to partake in research activities in both a greenhouse and field setting that broadly contribute to the sustainability of the domestic specialty crop industry.
Learning Objectives: The participant will learn the basic principles of biological research: common laboratory skills and routine tests, data entry and storage, horticultural practices pertaining to plant maintenance, and the operation of some specialty equipment. The participant will be mentored to improve their knowledge surrounding data collection, processing, analysis, and interpretation in a research setting. This opportunity will benefit the participant's professional development by providing an opportunity to learn alongside skilled professionals in a formal research environment. The participant is expected to increase their general suitability for continuing their education and career aspirations in the biological sciences field.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Andrew Bierer (andrew.bierer@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 1, 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 4 months, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
ORISE Information: This program, administered by 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 ARS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.
Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.ARS.Northeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate will have earned a degree or will be currently pursuing a degree.