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*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.

APHIS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), located in Manhattan Kansas or remote.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is a multi-faceted Agency with a broad mission area that includes protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. These efforts support the overall mission of USDA, which is to protect and promote food, agriculture, natural resources and related issues. APHIS' mission also includes addressing issues such as wildlife damage and disease management; regulation of genetically engineered crops and animal welfare; and protection of public health and safety as well as natural resources that are vulnerable to invasive pests and pathogens.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, New York, and the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), Kansas, diagnoses and responds to Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) threats to the United States. With the stand up of the NBAF, FADDL will be expanding its mission to include diagnostics and reagent development for emerging and re-emerging zoonotic pathogens of concern to U.S. agriculture, including Risk Group 4 (RG4) pathogens.

Research Project: The fellow will learn from and collaborate alongside FADDL's experienced team of veterinarians and microbiologists to develop and draft literature reviews, risk assessments, and program documents. These searches will be predominately focused on the availability of diagnostics and evaluation of their validation status in comparison to current FADDL standards. Final data packets will be utilized to develop gap analyses that will help guide the direction of the developing RG4 diagnostic program. 

Pathogens of interest may include henipaviruses, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, and filoviruses. To aid in understanding of the evaluated assays and to assist bench science staff, the fellow may be offered opportunities for limited laboratory experience at BSL2 and non-zoonotic, BSL3. 

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the fellow will be involved in the following learning opportunities:

  • Perform extensive scientific literature reviews, including peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and data packets produced by industry and laboratory partners
  • Consolidation of the literature review data with the production of data packets
  • Summarize, report, and present the results of their work to their mentors and to program leadership

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Charles Lewis (Charles.lewis@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 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 APHIS 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. 

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

Background Investigation Requirements: Adjudication of a Special Agency Check (SAC) is required before the selected candidate can start. Paperwork for this clearance will be sent to the selected candidate after acceptance of the official offer from ORAU.

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 APHIS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, APHIS, 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.

This is an equal opportunity program open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or covered veteran’s status.

Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email USDA-APHIS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

 

The qualified candidate should have received or currently be pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields with anticipated completion prior to start of appointment.

Preferred skills:

  • A basic understanding of microbiology (e.g. DNA/RNA, types of viruses, gene translation) and basic diagnostic assays
  • Proficiency in technical writing, oral communication, interpersonal and organizational skills, and critical thinking skills used to analyze and interpret data
  • Flexibility and motivation to complete assigned tasks in a remote environment
  • Eagerness to learn from peers and to collaborate in a scientific team environment
  • Proficiency using basic word processing and data management software

Eligibility Requirements

 

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