USDA-ARS Insect Pest Management Student 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), located in Tallahassee, Florida.
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 conduct laboratory research on examining the chemical ecology of interactions between host plants and pest insects with an aim to develop strategies for control of insect pests of agricultural crops. The participant will have the opportunity to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to execute studies and analyze data.
Learning Objectives: The participant will gain skills in the conduct of this research by collaborating side by side with Federal scientists and technicians. Under the guidance of the mentor, the research participant will gain experience in the design, implementation and data analysis of behavioral experiments to detect and qualify chemicals that guide insect behavior. The participant will enrich his/her experience in entomology, behavior and chemistry
Mentor(s): The mentors for this opportunity are Sandra Allan (sandy.allan@usda.gov) and Alexander Gaffke (alexander.gaffke@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentors.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for nine months, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is part time.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $1,100 - $1,600 monthly.
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 be currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in the one of the relevant fields.
Preferred skills:
- Candidates preferred with some coursework in entomology or practical experience conducting research with insects
Stipend
$1,100.00 – $1,600.00 Monthly
Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree.