What are the responsibilities and job description for the USDA-ARS Biological Science Fellowship - Entomology Focus position at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)?
*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis and applications may close before the deadline.
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 Maricopa, Arizona.
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: An entomology-based research opportunity is available for enthusiastic candidates interested in furthering their interests/knowledge in the control of agricultural insect pests. The overall research goal of the group is to develop new pest management strategies that can augment and enhance current approaches. As such, we seek applicants interested in contributing to an environment that values creative thinking and finding innovative solutions to unconventional problems.
You will be given opportunities to collaborate with other research programs in the unit, but the primary focus of the fellowship will be to gain experience in insect rearing, recording behavioral observations, field trial maintenance, and specimen curation. Anticipated activities include:
- Field Research: actively collecting insects, monitoring field traps, and maintaining outdoor or greenhouse field trials under varying weather conditions and/or treatment regimens.
- Lab-based research: counting, sorting, and identifying insect samples under microscopes; maintaining live insect colonies; preparing biological samples for testing; coordinating and optimizing insect behavioral assays
- Data Management: maintaining meticulous experimental data records, digital database entry, and basic statistical analyses.
Learning Objectives: By collaborating closely with members of our interdisciplinary research team, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience to all phases of the research process. You will expand your research skills and knowledge under the mentorship of PhD-level scientists in entomological-based research, experimental design, and data analysis.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Jimmy Hull (joe.hull@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: December 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.
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.PacificWest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Salary : $42,000 - $48,000