USDA-ARS Expanding Bee Genomic Resources for Biodiversity, Systematics, and Pollinator Conservation

Application Deadline

6/19/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

*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), Pollinating Insects Research Unit (PIRU), located in Logan, Utah.

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.

This project will be hosted by the USDA-ARS Pollinating Insects Research Unit (PIRU) in Logan, Utah. PIRU conducts research on the biology, systematics, health, and management of pollinating bees, with a focus on improving pollination services and supporting agricultural systems. The unit includes five federal research scientists, along with technical staff, postdoctoral researchers, and students, and maintains active collaborations across USDA programs and academic institutions.

PIRU is co-located on the Utah State University campus, providing access to a broad network of faculty collaborators and shared research infrastructure. On-site facilities include molecular laboratory space for DNA-based research, greenhouse facilities for plant–pollinator studies, and extensive insect collections, including the U.S. National Pollinating Insects Collection, which supports specimen-based research and long-term curation.

Bioinformatics and computational analyses will be supported by USDA’s SCINet high-performance computing infrastructure, which provides large-scale computing, data storage, and training resources for genomic analyses. Together, PIRU’s laboratory, greenhouse, and collection facilities, combined with SCINet’s computational capabilities, provide an integrated environment for interdisciplinary research in pollinator biology and genomics.

Research Project: The Beenome100 initiative is a USDA-led effort to generate, curate, and analyze genomic resources for bees, with the goal of advancing research on pollinator biodiversity, evolution, and conservation. This project will support ongoing efforts to collect, sequence, and analyze genomic data from diverse bee lineages while providing hands-on training to participants in key areas of entomological and genomic research.

Overall, this project will both expand genomic resources for bees and provide interdisciplinary training at the interface of field biology, museum science, and genomics, helping to prepare the next generation of scientists in pollinator research.

Learning Objectives: During the appointment, you will receive training in field and museum-based specimen acquisition, including bee collection, identification, and preparation of voucher specimens for long-term curation in the U.S. National Pollinating Insects Collection. You will also gain experience in molecular laboratory workflows, including DNA extraction, library preparation, and coordination of sequencing efforts. On the computational side, you will be trained in bioinformatics and data analysis, including genome assembly, annotation, and phylogenomic inference using high-performance computing resources.

In addition to technical skills, you will develop experience in data management, reproducible research practices, and scientific communication. You will also develop public dissemination tools by contributing to the preparation of manuscripts, reports, and publicly available genomic datasets, supporting USDA priorities in pollinator health, agricultural sustainability, and biodiversity science.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Michael Branstetter (michael.branstetter@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 18, 2026. 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. The anticipated stipend range is $2,000 - $6,000 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.PacificWest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years, or be currently pursuing.

Preferred skills:

• Ideal applicants will have a strong background in entomology, evolutionary biology, systematics, or a related field, with demonstrated interest in pollinator biology.
• Experience with specimen collection, insect identification, or museum-based research is beneficial.
• Familiarity with high-throughput sequencing data, genome assembly, or phylogenomic methods is desirable.
• Experience withLinux/Unix environments and with high-performance computing resources is also advantageous.
• Across all levels, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to research both independently and collaboratively are useful.
• Demonstrate interest in interdisciplinary research integrating field research, collections, and genomics, as well as a commitment to scientific communication and publication.
• For graduate-level participants, prior training in bee and/or wasp systematics, phylogenetics, and evolutionary biology is preferred, along with a strong desire to develop skills in genomics and bioinformatics.
• For post-baccalaureate or postdoctoral participants, preferred qualifications include training in bee systematics and/or bioinformatics, with experience in molecular or genomic data analysis.
• In addition, the post-baccalaureate participant will help with field-based specimen collection, so experience with fieldwork, insect sampling, and outdoor research activities is highly desirable.

Stipend

$2,000.00 – $6,000.00 Monthly

Point of Contact

Janeen

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.