USDA-ARS Precision Poultry Farming Internship
*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline.
ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. National Poultry Research Center (USNPRC) located in Athens, Georgia.
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 the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.
Research Project: The selected participant will perform field and laboratory research to support food safety research at the Bacterial Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance Research Unit. The mission of the Bacterial Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance Unit is to study how chickens acquire antibiotic resistant food borne pathogens and to develop feasible interventions to stop their spread in a broiler chicken house. The participant will be involved in the growing and monitoring of broiler chickens at the University of Georgia Poultry Research Center using cameras and motion sensors. Additionally, the participant will perform microbiological/chemical analysis of chicken litter and feces as needed throughout the project.
Learning Objectives: The selected participant will gain an understanding of the gut health of broiler chickens and identify chicken behaviors that are correlated with "good and bad" gut health.
Mentor(s): The mentors for this opportunity are Ade Oladeinde (ade.oladeinde@usda.gov) and Professor Samuel E. Aggrey (saggrey@uga.edu). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 2021. 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 part-time (20 hours per week).
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend of $1,500, commensurate with educational level and experience. A health insurance supplement of $3,000 per year will also be provided.
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 USDA-ARS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.