What are the responsibilities and job description for the USDA-ARS Research and Animal Care Opportunity at USDA-NCWMAC 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 Franklin, Maine.
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 project aims to develop a captive breeding program for lumpfish and improve current Atlantic salmon breeding program practices. The participant will collaborate with multiple scientists, animal caretakers, and facilities personal to accomplish live animal and in vitro experiments and subsequent data analysis.
Learning Objectives: The participant will have the opportunity to learn general aquaculture husbandry skills, methods specific to lumpfish and Atlantic salmon rearing and spawning, egg incubation, fish dissection, tissue and body fluid sample collection with associated aseptic techniques and sample preservation protocols, data management, and water quality monitoring. The participant will also have opportunities to learn about sea lice collection, sea lice live animal challenge methods, microscopy, and in vitro toxicity assay design.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Mark Polinski (mark.polinski1@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 2025. 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.
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.Northeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
