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Intern, Technical Services Laboratory - Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Tennessee Department of Agriculture
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The Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Technical Services Laboratory is seeking an intern for the Summer of 2025 (May 19, 2025 – August 08, 2025). The chosen candidate will receive hands-on experience in an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory. Customers for the laboratory include the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Ag Inputs, Plant Certification, Food Safety, Hemp, and Pesticide regulatory programs, offering a unique opportunity to learn about and assist with a wide range of regulatory sampling analyses.

 

Location: 

   Ellington Agricultural Center

   Porter Building

   436 Hogan Road, Nashville TN 37220

 

Major Duties:

 

Sample Receipt and Preparation:

  • All Laboratory samples are tracked using the laboratory information management system (LIMS). The chosen candidate may evaluate the condition of samples upon arrival and assist with the accessioning process.
  • Prior to instrumental analysis, all samples must be comminuted, digested with acid, or otherwise prepared. The chosen candidate may operate grinding mills, microwaves digestion systems, automated extractors, or similar equipment. 

 

Instrument Analysis:

  • The chosen candidate will receive hands-on training on one or more modern analytical instruments. Following the training period, the chosen candidate must demonstrate proficiency under direct supervision prior to independent instrument usage.
  • Several instrumental techniques may be assigned depending on the laboratory experience level of the selected candidate. Those include, but are not limited to, combustion, LC-MS/MS, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS.
  • Highly experienced candidates may be trained on high-resolution GC and LC mass spectrometers.

 

Quality Assurance:

  • The regulatory nature of the laboratory’s activities requires a robust quality management system. The selected candidate must adhere to all elements of the quality system and may assist with the assembly of analytical data packages.
  • As maintenance, calibration, and verification of equipment is required to ensure quality results, the selected candidate will have learned how to perform and document some of these activities by the conclusion of the internship period.

 

Other duties may be assigned as needed.

 

Education:

  • Applicants must possess a high school diploma and be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or advanced degree program in the physical or life sciences.
  • Applicants must be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

 

Essential Knowledge and Required Skills: 

  • Knowledge of chemistry and physics
  • Critical thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Laboratory safety, etiquette, and ethics
  • Quick technical learner
  • Drive for results

 

Comments: 

  • This is a paid internship.
  • All participants in the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Internship program are required to create a presentation for executive staff detailing their experience with the internship. This presentation shall be given to executive leadership during a luncheon at the end of the internship term.
  • For more information on the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Technical Services Laboratory please visit: https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/department/cis-thedept_rd/technical-services-laboratory.html
     

Working Conditions: 

  • This primary job assignment will be in an analytical laboratory, requiring adherence to institutional chemical hygiene and biosafety practices. Personal protective equipment is provided and must be worn as instructed to address the risk inherent to a laboratory environment.
  • There is the possibility of some travel (shadowing regulatory inspectors) along with the opportunity to work remotely on an infrequent basis.

 

How to Apply:

To apply for this internship opportunity, please send the following documents to Jamye.Freeman@tn.gov :

  • Resume
  • Letter of intent
  • Most recent transcript
  • 2 professional letters of recommendations
  • DD214 (Veteran Candidates only)

 

PLEASE NOTE: Once an application has been received you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please reach out to Jamye.Freeman@tn.gov.

 

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2025

 

Other Information:

The State of Tennessee and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pursuant to the State of Tennessee’s Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy. The State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State’s policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person’s race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veterans status, or any other category protected by state of and/or federal civil rights laws.