USDA-ARS Molecular Biology and Toxicology Fellowship
*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) Commodity Protection and Quality Research Unit of ARS, located at Parlier (Fresno Area), 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.
The mission of the Commodity Protection and Quality Research Unit is to develop new and improved management strategies for insect and plant pathogen pests associated with fresh and stored horticultural commodities, to meet domestic and foreign export market requirements, and to develop means to maintain the postharvest quality of these commodities.
Research Project: As a research fellow on this project, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience and develop advanced skills while working closely with the Research Entomologist throughout all phases of the research process. This opportunity will allow you to learn and perform a range of techniques, such as nucleic acid extraction, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, insect nanoinjections, and toxicological bioassays, using specialized equipment. You will have the chance to explore experimental approaches, adapt existing methodologies, and even develop new molecular and toxicological techniques tailored to the needs of the research project. Additionally, you will learn how to maintain, calibrate, and modify equipment and automated systems critical to test and evaluation procedures. Engaging with nonstandard tests and assays, you will expand your knowledge by adapting methods from published literature. Through meticulous record-keeping, data tabulation, statistical analysis, and summarization using computer software, you will gain practical experience in managing and interpreting experimental data, enhancing your skills and contributing to meaningful scientific discoveries.
Learning Objectives: Throughout the course of this fellowship, the participant will have the opportunity to gain experience in multidisciplinary research on developing innovative management strategies for insect pests associated with fresh and stored horticultural commodities.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Raman Bansal (raman.bansal@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: February 2026. 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 or part time, opportunity is flexible.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The current stipend for this opportunity is $39,688 - $63,914 per year plus a supplement to offset a health insurance premium.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) 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 or have received a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields.
Preferred skills:
- Experience handling, rearing, and maintaining insects
- Experience conducting molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and/or toxicology research
- Experience performing genomics research such as gene silencing and gene editing
Stipend
$39,688.00 – $63,914.00 Yearly
Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.