USDA-ARS Fellowship in Pre-harvest STEC Food Safety Research

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Ames (IA); Sur place; USD 38 000 - 43 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Health insurance via ORISE

Résumé du poste

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is offering a research opportunity with USDA ARS NADC in Ames, Iowa. The role focuses on reducing Shiga toxin‑producing E. coli in food-producing animals, under a mentor, performing culture, molecular biology and immunological techniques, and data analysis.

Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship and a bachelor’s or master’s degree in relevant life sciences, with start around 2026/2027.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in microbiology/molecular biology, degree within past 3 years or by Jan 31, 2027.
• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen only
• Discipline(s): Life Health and Medical Sciences, Bioinformatics, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Food Sciences and Technology, Genetics, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, Public Health

Responsabilités

• Conduct in vitro and/or in vivo experiments evaluating microbial colonization factors and host responses.
• Characterize bacteria/bacterial communities and test dietary/other control modalities.
• Perform culture methods, nucleic acid extraction, PCR, sequencing analysis, immunohistochemistry, and data interpretation.
• Communicate research findings clearly and effectively.

Connaissances

Basic microbiology techniques

Basic molecular techniques

Basic histological methods

Basic immunology techniques

Omics knowledge

Formation

Bachelor’s or Master’s in microbiology/molecular biology

Description du poste

Organisation

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Reference Code

USDA-ARS-MWA-2026-0383

Application Deadline

1/1/2027 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

ARS Office / Lab and Location

A research opportunity is available with the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Animal Disease Center (NADC), Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit located in Ames, Iowa. Relocation will be required.

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

This project at the Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit is focused on identifying methods to reduce Shiga toxin‑producing Escherichia coli in food producing animals. Under the guidance of the mentor, the participant will be involved in conducting in vitro and/or in vivo (animals) experiments evaluating microbial colonization factors and host responses, characterizing bacteria/bacterial communities, testing dietary and other control modalities, as part of the learning experience. This will include various culture methods, nucleic acid extraction, PCR methods, sequence analysis, immunohistochemistry, cell/tissue processing, and ELISA/immunoblots, and the scientific communication of research findings.

Learning Objectives

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will have the opportunity to learn to: (a) strengthen microbiological, molecular biological, immunological and histological techniques; (b) develop lab protocols; (c) collect and analyze data with statistics

Mentor(s)

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

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

2026/2027. 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 $3,422.00 - $3,814.75 monthly.

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 have received or be currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in microbiology/molecular biology. Degree must have preferably been received within the past 3 years or anticipated to be received by 1/31/2027.

Preferred Skills

• Basic microbiology techniques (culture and media‑buffer‑glassware preparation, staining)
• Basic molecular techniques (nucleic acid preparation, PCR, RT-qPCR, cloning, mutant generation)
• Basic histological methods (sectioning, staining, microscopy)
• Basic immunology techniques (ELISA, immunoblots)
• Some "omics" related knowledge

Stipend

$3,422.00 – $3,814.75 Monthly

Point of Contact

Michele

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 36 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (Animal Health and Food Safety)
  • Bioinformatics
  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Food Sciences and Technology
  • Genetics, including Genome Sciences
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health