What are the responsibilities and job description for the USDA-ARS Orchard Field Fellowship 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 Kearneysville, West Virginia.
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 AFRS houses two scientific programs with a focus on supporting the domestic specialty crop industry: (i) the Integrated Production Systems unit; and (ii) the Genetic Improvement unit. You will be involved in the Integrated Production Systems unit with ongoing research activities of the Soils Laboratory pertaining to orchard cropping systems.
You will collaborate with scientists and technical support staff on modern orchard establishment, including activities such as tree planting, training, and pruning, the installation of wire trellis systems, and groundskeeping maintenance activities important for orchard proliferation. You will also participate in research activities related to the collection, processing, and analysis of soil and plant samples.
Learning Objectives: Overall, you will be exposed to the principles of biological science research while strengthening your skillset in horticulture through the following:
- Gain practical experience in modern orchard establishment techniques, including tree planting, training, and pruning.
- Develop proficiency in the installation and maintenance of wire trellis systems essential for orchard support.
- Learn and execute proper methodologies for the collection of soil and plant samples in a field research setting.
- Collaborate effectively with scientific researchers and technical support staff on ongoing projects related to orchard cropping systems.
- Become proficient in the safe and effective use of common hand tools and basic equipment relevant to orchard maintenance.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Andrew Bierer (andrew.bierer@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: October 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for four months, 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 is $1,452.00 per month
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.Northeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Salary : $1,452