USDA-ARS Plant Scientist Fellowship

Organization
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Reference Code
USDA-ARS-2022-0389
How to Apply

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A complete application consists of:

  • An application
  • Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
  • A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
  • Two educational or professional recommendations

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

Application Deadline
1/2/2023 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

ARS Office/Lab and LocationA research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), within the Global Change and Photosynthesis Research Unit located in Urbana, Illinois.

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: Over the past 30 years, the agricultural economy has become increasingly sensitive to climate. Thus, to ensure continued gains in U.S. and global agricultural production in the future, adapting crops to increased atmospheric CO2, increased tropospheric ozone, more dynamic growing season temperature and water availability is critical. 

This project aims to improve crop resilience to environmental changes by determining the major loci and physiological mechanisms that modulate crop performance in response to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and tropospheric ozone. Research projects will utilize the Soybean Free Air CO2 Enrichment (SoyFACE) facility for growing crops under field conditions, but with altered atmospheric environments.

Specific research activities include (1) testing the response of diverse soybean cultivars to elevated carbon dioxide concentration and managing and advancing populations for genetic mapping of CO2 response in soybean; (2) investigating strategies for improving carbon sequestration; (3) investigating the interactive effects of elevated ozone and drought stress on crops. The incumbent should be interested in participating in all relevant aspects of research, from the molecular to the agronomic scale, and in the lab and in the field. 

Learning Objectives: Learning objectives include enhancing knowledge regarding crop responses to dynamic environmental stresses, testing genetic diversity, and using functional genomics and quantitative genetics to improve current and future crop water and nutrient use efficiency and yield. 

Mentor(s)The mentor for this opportunity is Elizabeth Ainsworth (lisa.ainsworth@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 2023.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment LengthThe 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 ParticipationThe appointment is full-time.

Participant StipendThe participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship RequirementsThis opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

ORISE InformationThis 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 USDA-ARS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the relevant fields or be currently pursuing one of the degrees with completion before the appointment start date. Most recent degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

  • Prior experience researching in a plant biology lab and in the field is preferred.
  • Prior experience with leaf level gas exchange measurements, RNA and DNA extractions, nutrient measurements, and agronomic measurements is favorable.
  • Interest in team research and an ability to collaborate with a diverse lab group is preferred.
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Earth and Geosciences (2 )
    • Engineering (3 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (6 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (9 )
  • Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).
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