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• An application
• Transcripts – 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.

ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) with the Animal Disease Research Unit located in Moscow, Idaho.

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 USDA-ARS Animal Disease Research Unit (ADRU) performs research on infectious diseases of agricultural animals to provide solutions to problems that have significant economic impact on livestock industries of the United States. For that, ADRU conducts research on multiple projects, including the development of effective strategies to control bovine babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and theileriosis. To develop these strategies, experiments involving laboratory-reared ticks and pathogen stabilates are required.

The primary goal of this appointment is to develop skills to provide necessary resources for studying the molecular and physiological mechanisms of tick-borne pathogens that affect cattle and investigating the behavior of ticks that affect the livestock industry. In addition, this appointment will have the opportunity to examine historical records of tick maintenance efforts to optimize tick rearing and resource development. Under the guidance of a mentor, participant activities will include:

• Performing and optimizing tick rearing and maintenance duties
• Preparing and maintaining pathogen stabilates
• Conducting animal disease diagnostics
• Performing laboratory and animal research related to tick-borne diseases
• Receiving mentoring in data analyses and scientific writing

Learning Objectives: The participant will develop and expand his/her professional knowledge of tick physiology, behavior, and survival by maintaining tick colonies and performing hands-on experiments, as needed. The participant may have the opportunity to be involved in publishing scientific articles related to tick survival and maintenance in a laboratory setting and animal health outcomes. Moreover, this project will enhance the participant's capability to participate collaboratively to design, plan, and implement approaches to solve livestock problems, which will give them expertise that can be used in different but related research fields.

Mentor: The mentors for this opportunity are Kennan Oyen (kennan.oyen@usda.gov) and Karen Poh (karen.poh@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research and position, please contact the mentors.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 15, 2023.  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, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

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.

The qualified candidate should have received an associate's or bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields or be currently pursuing one of the degrees to be received prior to start of appointment. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred Skills:

• Background in tick biology and life cycles, tick handling, pathogen preservation, and diagnostic techniques to detect pathogens in animals and ticks.
• A general background or interest in entomology is also acceptable.

• Degree: Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (2 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (2 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (16 )