USDA-ARS Internship on Desiccation Tolerance in Seeds
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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.
*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis, and this opportunity could close before the application deadline.
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 Fort Collins, Colorado.
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) delivers cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for 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. The National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation (NLGRP) houses the largest collection of diverse plant germplasm, supporting agriculture around the world. Research at NLGRP seeks to improve the capacity of gene banks to preserve genetic diversity of plant, animal and microbe germplasm.
Research Project: This project will explore how seeds develop after pollination and gain the ability to germinate and to survive drying.
Learning Objectives: The intern will learn how to grow Arabidopsis plants in a growth chamber, how to pollinate flowers and track the development of seeds. In the laboratory, the intern will learn to dissect seed parts under a microscope to assess maturity. The intern will prepare osmotic solutions that will deliver precise levels of water stress. The intern will learn tissue culture techniques to assess survival of the plant embryos following water stress.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Christina Walters (christina.walters@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 6 months but may be renewed for up to two additional years upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is part-time (35 hours per week).
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.Plains@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
The qualified candidate should have a bachelor's degree in one of the related fields.
Preferred Skills/Experience:
- Candidate should be interested in plant growth and development, especially reproductive biology related to seeds.
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