*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.
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), National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), located in Manhattan Kansas, Orient Point New York, or remote.
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 USDA APHIS Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) of the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) is stationed at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) in Orient Point, New York; the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas; and with the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (PRDA) in Dorado, Puerto Rico. FADDL’s mission is focused on providing diagnostic testing for high-consequence diseases of livestock, including African swine fever, Classical swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease.
Research Project: The Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) was established at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) in the 1980’s and has been continued to provide 24/7 diagnostic support to protect the United States against high-consequence, transboundary animal diseases. The mission of FADDL is transferring from PIADC to the newly established National Bio an Agro Defense Facility (NBAF). Over the decades, FADDL’s mission has grown and adapted to address global threats to animal health. Although FADDL’s history is full of accomplishments and successes, FADDL’s story has not been told in its entirety. Under the guidance of a mentor, the purpose of this project is to develop a comprehensive historical review of FADDL’s scientific mission.
Learning Objectives: Learning activities include but are not limited to:
- Interview current and former staff to identify major milestones and organizational changes
- Establish historical timeline of FADDL’s scientific mission
- Collect and analyze historical diagnostic test data
- Document scientific achievements and analyze the impact of those accomplishments
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Robin Holland (Robin.Holland@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 2025. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for two years but may be renewed upon recommendation of APHIS 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.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.
Background Investigation Requirements: Adjudication of a Special Agency Check (SAC) is required before the selected candidate can start. Paperwork for this clearance will be sent to the selected candidate after acceptance of the official offer from ORAU.
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 APHIS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, APHIS, 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.
This is an equal opportunity program open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or covered veteran’s status.
Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email USDA-APHIS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received or currently be pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields with anticipated completion prior to start of appointment.
Preferred skills:
- Scientific writing
- Interpersonal and organizational skills
- Critical thinking to analyze and interpret data
- Creativity and effective communication skills
- Understanding of biological sciences
- Experience in containment laboratories
- Knowledge of infectious diseases
- Understanding of animal health
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree.