What are the responsibilities and job description for the USDA-ARS Advancing Novel Solutions to Control Varroa Destructor in Managed Honey Bee Colonies position at Zintellect?
*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 Davis, California.
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.
The Pollinator Health Laboratory in Davis, CA is located in the heart of the Central Valley and surrounded by agricultural lands, providing easy access to commercial beekeepers and realistic field settings to maintain experimental apiaries. Simultaneously, the facility contains state of the art instruments and equipment for performing complex arthropod bioassays as well as physiological and molecular analyses.
Research Project: The pollinator health laboratory is currently developing and testing novel tools and strategies to control Varroa destructor, a highly destructive parasite of honey bee colonies. The participant will be a part of this by performing bioassays on Varroa mites and honey bees, recording data, collecting samples, and processing and conducting various molecular analyses on the collected samples. This will be in both the laboratory and field using modern molecular techniques.
Learning Objectives: The participant will develop the ability to evaluate and enhance the health of honey bees and their colonies by performing a range of relevant tests and activities. This will include selecting, developing, and, when necessary, modifying methods and procedures to best meet specific research goals. The participant will also learn to plan, implement, and maintain laboratory bioassays involving honey bees at various developmental stages and Varroa mites obtained from field colonies. In addition, they will adapt and apply techniques to study the physiological and biochemical responses of honey bees and Varroa mites to different treatments and processes, as well as analyze samples collected from both field and laboratory experiments.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Julia Fine (julia.fine@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 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.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $5,000 - $5,702 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.PacificWest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Salary : $5,000 - $5,702