What are the responsibilities and job description for the USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Arbovirus Research 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 Manhattan, Kansas.
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 Post-Doctoral Fellowship opportunity will take place at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit at the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. Our mission is to protect the U.S. against transboundary, emerging, and zoonotic diseases that threaten the food supply, agricultural economy, and public health. Under the guidance of a mentor, you will have the opportunity to investigate virus, host, and mosquito factors important for the infection, replication, and transmission of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), with a primary focus on Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV).
With mentor guidance, you will plan and execute complex experiments to study viral replication, pathogenesis, and transmission dynamics. Using a multidisciplinary approach, you will use or enhance your skills in molecular biology, virology, cell culture, vector biology, and animal models, to understand what drives the arbovirus transmission cycle. Additionally, you will be provided opportunities to present research findings at scientific meetings and authoring peer-reviewed manuscripts for publication.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about transboundary, emerging, and zoonotic arthropod-borne diseases that impact agriculture, food security, and public health.
- Gain experience studying arboviruses such as Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV).
- Develop knowledge of virus–host–vector interactions involved in viral infection, replication, pathogenesis, and transmission.
- Learn to design and execute complex laboratory experiments related to virology and infectious disease research.
- Gain hands-on training in molecular biology, virology, cell culture, vector biology, and animal model systems.
- Develop experience investigating mosquito factors that influence arbovirus transmission cycles.
- Learn multidisciplinary research approaches used to study emerging infectious diseases and biodefense challenges.
- Gain exposure to high-containment agricultural and infectious disease research environments within a national biosecurity facility.
- Develop scientific communication skills through presentations at scientific meetings and preparation of peer-reviewed publications.
- Learn how research contributes to protecting animal health, agricultural systems, and public health from vector-borne disease threats.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Dana Mitzel (dana.mitzel@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 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.Plains@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Salary : $74,000