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USDA-ARS Sustainability Agroecosystem Internship

*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline.
ARS Office/Lab and LocationA research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Water Quality and Ecology Research Unit located in Oxford, Mississippi.
Research Project: Throughout the course of this research project, the participant will collaborate with a USDA-ARS scientist in research programs focused, in general, on enhancing the sustainability of agroecosystems in the Lower Mississippi River Basin (LMRB) in Mississippi. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be involved in the following activities:
  1. The participant will collaborate in conducting experiments in the field and laboratory incubators investigating the impacts of different aquaculture system designs on denitrification and water quality in catfish production facilities in the LMRB.
  2. The participant will assist scientists in field sampling, sediment core incubations, dissolved gas and nutrient analysis, and measurement of pond sediment properties. The participant will assist in data processing, storage, and interpretation using personal computers and software packages.
Learning Objectives
  1. Become familiar with different water quality parameters, nutrient analyses, automated sensor components, maintenance, and data collection procedures.
  2. Develop skills for water quality and dissolved gas data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
Mentor(s)The mentor(s) for this opportunity is Jason Taylor (Jason.taylor@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: As soon as a qualified candidate is identified.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment LengthThe appointment will initially be for three months (summer), but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of ParticipationThe appointment is full-time.
Participant StipendThe participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.
Citizenship RequirementsThis 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 InformationThis 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.Southeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields.
Skills or interests in sediment core collection and water quality monitoring would be considered favorable.