USDA-ARS Coordinated Approach to Coffee Leaf Rust Fellowship
*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), located in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
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 research will be carried out at the USDA-ARS Tropical Agriculture Research Station (TARS) which is a clonal germplasm repository of the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) and consists of locations at Mayaguez and Isabela, Puerto Rico and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. TARS mission is to conduct agricultural research to: 1) assess tropical sorghum and dry bean genetic resources for disease resistance and genetic diversity and develop germplasm adapted to temperate regions, and 2) to introduce, preserve, evaluate, regenerate, distribute tropical fruit germplasm and develop cultural and management systems for tropical/subtropical crops that are of economic importance to the Continental and Insular U.S.
The participant will be assigned to the project to help address the primary goal of investigating races of Hemileia vastatrix present in Puerto Rico, screening for susceptibility to coffee leaf rust (CLR) on different Coffee varieties, and to test natural bio-control of CLR using mycoparasites. The participant will conduct research under the guidance of a mentor. Some level of independence in the research and critical thinking is expected for this opportunity.
Learning Objectives: The participant will engage in a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience designed to build expertise in laboratory techniques, fieldwork, and plant pathology research. Through active involvement in various aspects of the project, the participant will develop practical skills and deepen their understanding of key scientific concepts.
Under the guidance of mentors and through structured activities, the participant will have the opportunity to:
- Master Laboratory Techniques: Learn how to prepare growth media for fungi, operate common laboratory equipment (e.g., autoclaves, sterilizers, centrifuges, homogenizers), and gain experience in DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequence analysis for Hemileia vastatrix and mycoparasites.
- Understand Plant Disease Dynamics: Identify symptoms and signs of coffee leaf rust (CLR) infections, perform disease surveys to assess CLR incidence and severity, and prepare H. vastatrix inoculum for pathogenicity tests using coffee plants or detached coffee leaf tissue.
- Develop Agricultural Skills: Acquire knowledge of planting, fertilizing, weed control, irrigation, and pesticide application in both field and greenhouse environments, while learning best practices for maintaining healthy crops.
- Evaluate Plant Responses to Disease: Enhance skills in assessing how coffee plants respond to diseases, integrating laboratory and field observations to better understand plant-pathogen interactions.
This immersive experience will provide the participant with the tools to develop technical expertise, strengthen problem-solving abilities, and gain valuable insights into plant pathology and agricultural science, preparing them for future research or professional opportunities.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Luz Serrato-Diaz (luz.serrato@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: December 15, 2025. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, 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 up to $2,500 per month along with a health insurance stipend supplement.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.
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.Southeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the last five years or is anticipated to be received by 5/31/2026.
Depending on the research project objectives, the selected candidate may need to operate a government owned vehicle (GOV) and will be required to show proof of a valid U.S. State Driver’s License and provide proof of an active U.S. auto insurance policy.
Preferred skills:
- Knowledge of plant biology, microbiology, plant pathology
- Preference is placed on:
- Applicants with a bachelor's degree or;
- Applicants who are currently pursuing a master's degree
Stipend
$2,500.00 Monthly