*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 Manhattan, Kansas and Galveston, Texas.

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. The project will be with scientists at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) and partners at UTMB Galveston, Texas.

Research Project: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Zoonotic and Emerging Disease Research Unit, has an opportunity for a postgraduate participant to engage in research exploring the ecology of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV). CCHFV is a high-consequence tick-borne pathogen with significant implications for human health, livestock health, and agricultural security. This research aligns with USDA’s mission to safeguard U.S. agriculture and the public from zoonotic and emerging disease threats.

The participant will take part in studies designed to improve understanding of the ecological factors that influence virus transmission and maintenance. This opportunity will provide hands-on training and experience at the interface of virology, vector biology, and animal health.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in ecological studies of ticks and animal hosts relevant to CCHFV transmission.
• Collect, process, and analyze samples from arthropods and/or vertebrate hosts.
• Conduct molecular and serological analyses to detect and characterize CCHFV or related nairoviruses.
• Collaborate with USDA scientists, academic partners, and federal agencies to integrate field and laboratory findings into ecological and risk models.
• Gain experience applying One Health approaches to zoonotic disease research, emphasizing connections between human health, animal health, and agricultural systems.
• Contribute to scientific manuscripts, reports, and presentations that communicate research outcomes to both scientific and stakeholder audiences.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Lisa Hensley (lisa.hensley@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 2025. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for two years 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 annual stipend range is $55,000 - $78,733 for master's level and $66,500 - $103,700 for doctoral level.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) 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 be currently pursuing or have received a master's or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields (e.g. biology, microbiology, ecology, epidemiology, veterinary science, or a related field). 

Preferred skills:

• Experience with field ecology, wildlife biology, or tick/arthropod collection and identification.
• Training in molecular diagnostics or serology (e.g., PCR, ELISA, sequencing).
• Knowledge of vector-borne disease transmission and host–pathogen interactions.
• Familiarity with biosafety practices in laboratory or field settings.
• Experience in data management, GIS, or ecological modeling is desirable.
• Ability to contribute to scientific writing and communication (reports, manuscripts, presentations).
• Strong skills in collaboration and interdisciplinary research.
• Demonstrated interest in vector-borne diseases, zoonotic viruses, or agricultural biosecurity.
• Experience with molecular diagnostics, serology, or tick/arthropod biology is desirable.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.