USDA-ARS Plant Biotechnology Laboratory Intern
*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 Albany, California.
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 project is focused on collaborating on crop biotechnology research. Tissue culture and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation techniques will be utilized to introduce constructs of interest into transgenic plants. The participant will learn and use multiple molecular biology and plant biotechnology-related techniques including plasmid vector design, plant genetic engineering, plant tissue culture and transgenic plant characterization techniques. They will be part of team of researchers that will perform laboratory tasks including (but not limited to) making stock solutions, preparing plant tissue culture media and microbiological media, autoclaving materials and pouring media into petri plates. They may also train on growing and maintaining plants in the greenhouse or growth chamber, harvesting seed, isolating plant genomic DNA, performing PCR screening and/or helping perform crop transformation and plant tissue culture experiments under the mentorship and supervision of their research colleagues.
Learning Objectives: The participant will learn:
- How to make and sterilize plant and microbial growth media.
- How to utilize good aseptic technique in distributing growth media into petri dishes and other suitable containers
- How to isolate genomic DNA from various plants grown in growth chambers and the greenhouse.
- How to set up and analyze plant DNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Roger Thilmony (Roger.Thilmony@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 2024. 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 current stipend is $2,450 to $3,000 per month.
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 an associate's or bachelor's degree.
Preferred skills:
- The ideal applicant is interested in acquiring plant biotechnology research experience and is a conscientious and careful person that can communicate and interact well with other members of a research team.
- Laboratory research experience with plants.
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Currently pursuing an Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree.
- Academic Level(s): Undergraduate Students.