*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 Columbia, Missouri.

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 Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit is located in Columbia, Missouri, on the University of Missouri campus. Research at this facility involves optimizing agricultural production systems for improved sustainability by developing tools for assessment of soil health, among other objectives.

Research Project: The research project is focused on improving a soil health assessment tool for farmers and ranchers that are seeking guidance on conservation management planning for improved resiliency and sustainability. We have collected soil samples from across the country to improve the dataset behind the current soil health assessment tool.

Learning Objectives: This opportunity will provide the participant with experience in the laboratory, where they will gain experience with a wide range of soil health indicators, including soil physical, biological, and chemical measurements. They will also have the opportunity to learn about farming practices and soils across the U.S.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Kristen Veum (kristen.veum@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

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

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 9 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. The anticipated stipend range is $37,440 - $41,600 per year.

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 be currently pursuing or have received an associate or bachelor's degree in the one of the relevant fields. 

Preferred skills:

• The ideal candidate has basic knowledge of soils, has strong attention to detail, and has an interest in developing laboratory skills.