What are the responsibilities and job description for the USDA-APHIS Zoonotic Diseases Postdoctoral Fellowship position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Zintellect - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - USDA-APHIS Zoonotic Diseases Postdoctoral Fellowship - USDA-APHIS-2026-0101
APHIS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), located in Ames, Iowa.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is a multi-faceted Agency with a broad mission area that includes protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. These efforts support the overall mission of USDA, which is to protect and promote food, agriculture, natural resources and related issues. APHIS' mission also includes addressing issues such as wildlife damage and disease management; regulation of genetically engineered crops and animal welfare; and protection of public health and safety as well as natural resources that are vulnerable to invasive pests and pathogens.
The Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) is one of four National Veterinary Service Laboratories (NVSL) within Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). FADDL is tasked with providing protection to United States agriculture by providing 24/7 diagnostic support for high-consequence, transboundary animal diseases, such as African Swine Fever and Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
Research Project: The Serology section is part of the Diagnostic Bioanalytical Reagent Laboratory at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames IA. As part of the U.S Department of Agriculture, NVSL provides diagnostic services to federal, state, and private veterinarians in the US. The selected fellow will collaborate with microbiologists, veterinarians and biotechnicians to help identify the zoonotic species from mycobateria and brucella families in various species of animals using serological tests as part of the eradication program.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields.
- Background investigations will occur for the selected candidate so the individual can participate in with pathogens in biocontainment without an escort. Adjudication of a Special Agency Check (SAC) will occur before the selected candidate can start.
- An advanced BI security clearance will be conducted/adjudicated after start date, allowing for unescorted access to biocontainment. Paperwork for all of these clearances will be sent to the selected candidate after acceptance of the official offer from ORAU.
- Participation is performed in a BSL-2 laboratory, in office and field settings. Handling unknown pathogenic agents mandates the use of personal protective gear.
Preferred skills
- Knowledge of general laboratory practices including use of common laboratory equipment (centrifuge, micropipettes, biosafety cabinets etc)
- Functional knowledge of serological techniques such as: ELISA, neutralization assays, immunoassays
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as critical thinking skills to develop experimental approaches and interpret data.
- A background in microbiology and diseases
- Ability to participate independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
- Demonstrate flexibility and self motivation
- Experience developing and validating serological assays
- Familiarity with quality control, assay standardization, or diagnostic test development
- Experience with animal or zoonotic diseases