Application Deadline
7/17/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description
*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.
ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available with the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Animal Disease Center (NADC), Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit located in Ames, Iowa. Relocation will be required.
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: This project at the Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit is focused on identifying methods to reduce Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in food producing animals. Under the guidance of the mentor, the participant will be involved in conducting in vitro and/or in vivo (animals) experiments evaluating microbial colonization factors and host responses, characterizing bacteria/bacterial communities, testing dietary and other control modalities, as part of the learning experience.
Learning Objectives: The participant will have to opportunity to learn/hone microbiological, molecular biological, immunological and histological techniques. This will include, various culture methods, nucleic acid extraction, PCR methods, sequence analysis, immunohistochemistry, cell/tissue processing, ELISA/immunoblots. Participant may also learn to develop lab protocols, collect and analyze data with statistics, and the scientific communication of research findings.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Indira Kudva (Indira.Kudva@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Preference for between July – September, 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.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $3,422.00 – $3,814.75 monthly.
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.Midwest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in microbiology/molecular biology. Degree must have preferably been received within the past 2 years or anticipated to receive by 9/1/2026.
Preferred Skills:
- Basic microbiology techniques (culture and media-buffer-glassware preparation, staining)
- Basic molecular techniques (nucleic acid preparation, PCR, RT-qPCR, cloning, mutant generation)
- Basic histological methods (sectioning, staining, microscopy)
- Basic immunology techniques (ELISA, immunoblots)
- Some “omics” related knowledge is useful.
Stipend
$3,422.00 – $3,814.75 Monthly
Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree received within the last 24 months or anticipated to be received by 9/1/2026 11:59:00 PM.