*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) and Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, Kansas.

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. The fellow 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 mentor(s), the fellow will contribute to the design, implementation, and data analysis of projects relating to different aspects of vector biology, including ecology, population genetics, management strategies, virus interactions, and virus-transmission competence, depending on the candidate’s expertise. Additionally, the fellow will be encouraged to develop a scientific project that helps address research gaps related to the transmission or management of vectors of JEV, VSV, or RVFV, leading to peer-reviewed publications. The fellow may also have the opportunity to be included in helping with the USDA new world screwworm response.

Learning Objectives: The fellow will learn techniques in entomology, molecular biology, and ecological modelling. The fellow will have the opportunity to gain experience in entomological field research, molecular laboratory research, and possibly research within BSL-3, BSL-3Ag and ACL-3 containment. Additionally, opportunities to develop skills in manuscript preparation, research presentation, and domestic and international collaboration with other USDA and non-USDA researchers to address complex questions in livestock disease transmitted by arthropods will be available. 

Mentor(s): The mentors for this opportunity are Dr. Lee Cohnstaedt (Lee.Cohnstaedt@usda.gov) and Dr. Dustin Swanson (Dustin.Swanson@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: April/May 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 $65,000 - $100,000 annually.

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 one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years or anticipated to be received by start of appointment.

Preferred Skills:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Previous experience in team and collaborative scientific environments
• Project and team leadership experience

Additionally, one of the following is desirable:

• Previous experience with insect vectors of animal pathogens (field and/or laboratory experience)

or

• Previous experience with insect genomic and population genetic analyses or modeling experience.

Stipend$65,000.00 – $100,000.00 Yearly