What are the responsibilities and job description for the USDA-ARS Agricultural Research Participant position at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)?
*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 Dawson, Georgia.
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 projects and activities you will be involved in are related to agricultural research mainly focused on peanuts but also inclusive of cotton and corn as the traditional rotational crops for peanuts. The activities include, but aren't limited to, collaborating with research scientists of multiple disciplines including agronomy, engineering, pathology, genetics, and plant physiology. You will collaborate and participate in studies focusing on plant drought tolerance, disease resistance, plant growth characteristics, irrigation scheduling, and others in relation to final peanut yield and quality. Participating in planting, collecting and analyzing plant and soil samples soil samples as well as participating in post harvest physical property analysis of harvested peanuts will also be a focus area after plant harvest is completed.
Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will:
- Learn about agricultural research systems focused on peanuts and rotational crops such as cotton and corn.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams including scientists in agronomy, engineering, plant pathology, genetics, and plant physiology.
- Participate in studies evaluating plant drought tolerance, disease resistance, growth characteristics, and irrigation scheduling in relation to crop yield and quality.
- Gain experience in field and laboratory research activities, including planting, sample collection, and data analysis.
- Gain experience with collection and analysis of plant and soil samples to support agricultural research objectives.
- Participate in post-harvest analyses focused on the physical properties and quality assessment of harvested peanuts.
- Develop skills in agricultural data interpretation and crop management research within integrated production systems.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Marshall Lamb (marshall.lamb@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 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 part time.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $1,500 - $1,800 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 ORISE.ARS.Southeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Salary : $1,500 - $1,800