USDA-ARS Laboratory and Field Research Fellowship at the Bee Research Lab

*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), located in Beltsville, Maryland.

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 Bee Research Lab (BRL) conducts research to improve the health of honey bee colonies and help the beekeeping industry maintain an adequate healthy supply of bees for the pollination of crops.  A key research focus of the BRL is honey bee pests and pathogens and the diseases they cause. Chief among these is Varroa destructor, harmful ectoparasitic mites, and the viruses they vector. The participant will have the opportunity to collaborate with a team of researchers investigating methods for reducing the harm of these mites and viruses, including studies of novel strategies for reducing mite populations in colonies and mitigating the effects of viruses on honey bees. The participant will contribute to both laboratory and field research projects, and will learn techniques for studying honey bees in both of these settings, including basic beekeeping, methods for collecting and compiling data, and data analysis using statistical software packages. 

Learning Objectives: Through this opportunity, the participant will:

• Learn basic beekeeping/management skills and honey bee biology
• Understand scientific project/experimental design
• Become competent in data collection for both laboratory and field experiments
• Acquire skill in data analysis

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Steven Cook (steven.cook@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 3, 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 5 months, 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 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.Northeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a high school diploma/GED, or an associate's or bachelor's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Post-high school applicants should be accepted or enrolled in a STEM degree program.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: High School Diploma/GED, Associate's Degree, or Bachelor's Degree.
• Academic Level(s): K-12 Students, Post-Associate's, Post-Bachelor's, or Undergraduate Students.