USDA-ARS Cool-Season Grasses Internship

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 22,320 - 29,016; Full time

Job summary

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is offering a full-time research opportunity in Corvallis, Oregon, through USDA-ARS. The position focuses on grass breeding and related trait data collection, with hands-on training in mating design and selection of open-pollinated species.

You will work within the Grass Breeding Program at FSCRU, gaining experience in field, greenhouse, and laboratory methods, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on training in mating design and selection within open-pollinated species.
• Assist with field, greenhouse, and laboratory work to process plants and collect trait data.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to design experiments and manage research trials.
• Support data analysis and documentation related to Grass Breeding programs.

Skills

Crop Science

Seed Science

Plant Breeding

Experimental Design

Open-pollinated species

Grasses

Seed Cleaning

Trial Development

Planting

Tractor Operations

Harvester Operations

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree

Job description

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Reference Code

USDA-ARS-PWA-2026-0277

A Complete Application Consists Of

• An application
• Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendations

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

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Application Deadline

9/11/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

• 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 Corvallis, Oregon.

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: The USDA-ARS Grass Breeding Program is a research project at the Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit (FSCRU) in Corvallis, OR. The program focus is on developing cool-season grasses including annual and perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, fine fescues, and orchardgrass with improved agronomic performance via resistance to abiotic and biotic plant stresses, seed yield, and utility in turf, forage, and cover cropping systems.

Learning Objectives: This opportunity is will provide hands-on training in mating design and selection within open-pollinated species. You will gain experience in utilizing high-throughput phenotyping methods in the field, greenhouse, and laboratory to process plants and collect and analyze trait data. You will collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team and will gain valuable experience in designing experiments, implementation and management of research trials, and making selection discissions.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Dustin Herb ([e-mail]). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 3, 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.

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 [e-mail] and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

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

Preferred Skills

• Crop Science, Seed science, Plant Breeding, Experimental Design, Open-pollinated species, Grasses, Seed Cleaning, Trial Development, Planting, Tractor Operations, Harvester Operations

Point of Contact

Janeen

Eligibility Requirements

Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only

Degree: Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree.

Discipline(s): Life Health and Medical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Agriculture, Agronomy and Crop Science, Plant Sciences