What are the responsibilities and job description for the USDA-ARS Science and Research Communication Fellow position at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education?
Organization
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Reference Code
USDA-ARS-HQ-2026-0189
How To Apply
To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.
A Complete Application Consists Of
Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!”
Application Deadline
9/25/2026 9:48:07 AM Eastern Time Zone
Description
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 Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides strategic coordination of the science that informs the Department's and the Federal government's decisions, policies and regulations that impact all aspects of U.S. food and agriculture and related landscapes and communities. OCS also identifies, prioritizes, evaluates, and coordinates Department-wide agricultural research, education, and extension needs.
OCS ensures that that research supported by, and scientific advice provided to the Department and external stakeholders is held to the highest standards of intellectual rigor and scientific integrity. OCS is also defending the Foundations of Agriculture and Food called for in the USDA Farm Security Strategy by enhancing research, economic, and science security.
Research Project: Through structured mentorship, the fellow will explore how the USDA Farm Security Strategy is translated into actionable guidance within the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area. Training activities will include, but are not limited to, learning how to develop communication strategies and draft policy documents to ensure that scientific policy effectively informs internal agencies and extramural stakeholders. The fellow will gain insight into how federal agencies balance safeguarding public investments in agriculture with advancing open, collaborative scientific research and effectively communicating those strategies to stakeholders.
Learning Objectives: Fellowship activities will focus on learning strategic communication approaches, understanding the structure and purpose of policy playbooks, and examining how scientific policy is crafted to inform both internal agency audiences and external stakeholders. Under the guidance of a mentor, the fellow will:
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 1, 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 $70,623 - $102,415 annually.
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 USDA-ARS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.
Stipend
$70,623.00 – $102,415.00 Yearly
Point of Contact
Janeen
Eligibility Requirements">12 )
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Reference Code
USDA-ARS-HQ-2026-0189
How To Apply
To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.
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
Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!”
Application Deadline
9/25/2026 9:48:07 AM Eastern Time Zone
Description
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.
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 Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides strategic coordination of the science that informs the Department's and the Federal government's decisions, policies and regulations that impact all aspects of U.S. food and agriculture and related landscapes and communities. OCS also identifies, prioritizes, evaluates, and coordinates Department-wide agricultural research, education, and extension needs.
OCS ensures that that research supported by, and scientific advice provided to the Department and external stakeholders is held to the highest standards of intellectual rigor and scientific integrity. OCS is also defending the Foundations of Agriculture and Food called for in the USDA Farm Security Strategy by enhancing research, economic, and science security.
Research Project: Through structured mentorship, the fellow will explore how the USDA Farm Security Strategy is translated into actionable guidance within the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area. Training activities will include, but are not limited to, learning how to develop communication strategies and draft policy documents to ensure that scientific policy effectively informs internal agencies and extramural stakeholders. The fellow will gain insight into how federal agencies balance safeguarding public investments in agriculture with advancing open, collaborative scientific research and effectively communicating those strategies to stakeholders.
Learning Objectives: Fellowship activities will focus on learning strategic communication approaches, understanding the structure and purpose of policy playbooks, and examining how scientific policy is crafted to inform both internal agency audiences and external stakeholders. Under the guidance of a mentor, the fellow will:
- Gain hands-on experience assisting in the development of a Research, Education, and Economic (REE) Mission Area playbooks for new USDA policies.
- Learn about the development and implementation of strategic messaging and communication of OCS and ORESS efforts to implement the USDA Farm Security Strategy.
- Learn to conduct strategic analyses to identify how USDA can create and implement scientific initiatives or evidence-based policies across a diverse and complex research portfolio including plant science, soil health, bioinformatics, protecting agricultural against invasive species, natural resources, remote sensing, advanced manufacturing, and the nexus of agriculture and space.
- Learn how to create and implement strategic plans to promote scientific initiatives or evidence-based policies to specific audiences.
- Enhance knowledge and skills preparing reports and presenting findings in a clear and impactful manner for executive leadership.
- Pursue knowledge in coordinating and communicating USDA’s science policies both within USDA and the interagency, gaining insight into science-policy integration and interagency collaboration.
- Gain deep understanding of USDA’s research enterprise while assisting in the implementation of consistent research, economic, and science security efforts across USDA.
- Learn how to effectively communicate through both verbal and oral communication across a diverse audience at USDA, including scientists, policy analysts, administrators, attorneys, and security and counterintelligence professionals.
- Learn about the diverse authorities and measures related to research, economic, and science security and how to strategically communicate its need, how it will implemented, and its impact to external and internal stakeholders.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 1, 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 $70,623 - $102,415 annually.
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 USDA-ARS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.
Stipend
$70,623.00 – $102,415.00 Yearly
Point of Contact
Janeen
Eligibility Requirements">12 )
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 5/31/2026 11:59:00 PM.
- Discipline(s):
- Chemistry and Materials Sciences (
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Salary : $70,623 - $102,415