*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), Agriculture Research Service (ARS), within the Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit (FABADRU). This opportunity will be located at the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF), Insectary/Cell Culture Laboratory (ICCL) at the Center for Grain and Animal Health (CGAHR), and Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, KS.

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: FABADRU uses multifaceted and interdisciplinary techniques to understand the interactions of viruses, vectors, hosts, and the environment on the transmission of viruses affecting livestock. The specific mission is to identify and manage exotic arthropod-borne diseases that have the potential to cross international boundaries and present a risk to U.S. livestock. You will have the opportunity to contribute to research in vector biology and ecology related to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), and other potential arthropod-borne diseases. Under the guidance of the mentors, you will participate in entomological laboratory. This fellowship requires in-person participation in Manhattan, Kansas.

Learning objectives: During this appointment, you will have the opportunity to:

• Gain experience in sorting and identifying insects of medical and veterinary importance
• Gain experience with experiment design, data collection, and analyses
• Learn to rear mosquitoes, house flies, and biting midges
• Learn about establishment of new insect colonies

Mentor(s): The mentors for this opportunity are Dustin Swanson (dustin.swanson@usda.gov) and Chad Mire (chad.mire@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: November 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 $49,000 - $54,000 yearly.

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.Plains@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor’s or master's degree in entomology or a related discipline of biological sciences, or be currently pursuing with degree anticipated to be received by December 31, 2026.

Preferred skills:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Previous experience in team and collaborative scientific environments
• Previous experience with insect vectors of animal pathogens (field and/or laboratory experience)

Stipend$49,000.00 – $54,000.00 YearlyPoint of ContactJaneenEligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree.