To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.

A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendations

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

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*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.

ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Animal Disease Center (NADC), in Ames, Iowa.

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: Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will conduct research at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Animal Disease Center (NADC), in Ames, IA. The participant will have the opportunity to be involved in one or more phases of animal health research by preparing tissues samples for microscopic analysis and examination by a pathologist and research the mechanisms of pathogens in animal tissues. The participant will collaborate with a team of microbiologists, immunologists, animal scientists, and pathologists. 

Learning Objectives: 

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will:

• Learn to perform techniques using a variety of specialized equipment, including automated immunohistochemistry. 
• Learn to operate, maintain, calibrate, and modify specialized equipment, including optimizes manual immunohistochemistry for multiple tissue types.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Kaitlyn Sarlo Davila (kaitlyn.sarlodavila@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: October 2025. 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.

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.

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields (animal science, Biology, or a related field). Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

• Histology techniques using tissue processors, embedding centers, cassette printers, slide printers, cryostats and microtomes within a BSL2 laboratory.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
• Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).