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Application Deadline

 

10/9/2026 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), located in Madison, Wisconsin.

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: This mentored research opportunity exists at the intersections of plant pathology, microbial ecology, and plant biology. Several ongoing projects are available and are adaptable to your interests and educational requirements: (1) classifying microbiome response in rhizosphere and phyllosphere to plants subjected to abiotic stress and/or pathogen infection, (2) understanding the role of host cell wall and carbohydrate composition in microbial community assembly, (3) developing and/or testing of biological control strains, (4) identifying mechanisms of biological control strains.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will have the opportunity to learn to: 

  • (a) Conduct microbiology, and cell culture of fungi and/or bacteria, microscopy and cellular staining techniques
  • (b) Complete nucleic acid extraction of plant and/or soil samples, amplification of barcode genes formicrobiome analysis, analysis of DNA sequence data
  • (c) Apply gene expression analysis in microbes and/or plants
  • (d) Understand inoculation of cereals with plant pathogens, rating disease symptoms, maintenance and care of plants in growth chamber and greenhouse settings

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Kristy MacCready (k.gdanetzmaccready@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 2027. 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 $2,655 – $3,000 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.Midwest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

 

The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursuing an associates or bachelor's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past one year and six months, or is anticipated to be received by 12/31/2026.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of study
  • At least one semester of lab-based microbiology course
  • At least one semester of lab-based research experience
  • Proficiency with micropipettes
  • Experience with culturing microbes

Stipend

 

$2,655.00 – $3,000.00 Monthly

Point of Contact

 

Michele

Eligibility Requirements

 

  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree received within the last 18 months or currently pursuing.