Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
USDA-ARS Fellowship in Vector Biology
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Manhattan, Kansas, United States, 66506
USDA-ARS Foreign Arthropod‑Borne Animal Diseases Fellowship
Location: Manhattan, KS
How to Apply Submit your application by scrolling to the bottom of this opportunity and clicking APPLY.
A complete application consists of: an application form, transcript(s), a current resume/CV, and two educational or professional recommendations.
All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
Application Deadline 2/27/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Research Project FABADRU uses multifaceted and interdisciplinary techniques to understand the interactions of viruses, vectors, hosts, and the environment on the transmission of viruses affecting livestock. The specific mission is to identify and manage exotic arthropod‑borne diseases that have the potential to cross international boundaries and present a risk to U.S. livestock. The fellow will contribute to the design, implementation, and data analysis of projects related to vector biology, including ecology, population genetics, management strategies, virus interactions, and virus‑transmission competence, depending on the candidate’s expertise. Additionally, the fellow will be encouraged to develop a scientific project that addresses research gaps related to the transmission or management of vectors of JEV, VSV, or RVFV, leading to peer‑reviewed publications. The fellow may also have the opportunity to be involved in the USDA new world screwworm response.
Learning Objectives
Techniques in entomology, molecular biology, and ecological modelling
Experience in entomological field research, molecular laboratory research, and possibly research within BSL-3, BSL-3Ag and ACL-3 containment
Manuscript preparation and research presentation skills
Domestic and international collaboration with USDA and non‑USDA researchers
Mentor(s) Dr. Lee Cohnstaedt (Lee.Cohnstaedt@usda.gov) and Dr. Dustin Swanson (Dustin.Swanson@usda.gov). For questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Appointment Details Start date: April/May 2026 (flexible). Length: Initially one year, may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and contingent on availability of funds. Level: Full time.
Stipend: $65,000 – $100,000 annually.
Citizenship: U.S. citizen only.
ORISE Information This program is administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). 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; health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.
Questions Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, email ORISE.ARS.Plains@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications Candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a master’s or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. The degree must have been received within the past five years or be anticipated to be received by the start of appointment.
Preferred Skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Previous experience in team and collaborative scientific environments
Project and team leadership experience
Desirable Experience
Previous experience with insect vectors of animal pathogens (field and/or laboratory)
Previous experience with insect genomic and population genetic analyses or modeling
Eligibility Requirements
Citizenship: U.S. citizen only
Degree: Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree
Discipline(s):
Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Computer Vision, Human Language Processing, Machine Learning)
Computer Science (general)
Data Science
Databases, Information Retrieval, and Web Search
Information Science and Technology
Scientific Computing and Informatics
Software Engineering
Engineering
Environmental and Marine Sciences
Life Health and Medical Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 months
#J-18808-Ljbffr
How to Apply Submit your application by scrolling to the bottom of this opportunity and clicking APPLY.
A complete application consists of: an application form, transcript(s), a current resume/CV, and two educational or professional recommendations.
All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
Application Deadline 2/27/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Research Project FABADRU uses multifaceted and interdisciplinary techniques to understand the interactions of viruses, vectors, hosts, and the environment on the transmission of viruses affecting livestock. The specific mission is to identify and manage exotic arthropod‑borne diseases that have the potential to cross international boundaries and present a risk to U.S. livestock. The fellow will contribute to the design, implementation, and data analysis of projects related to vector biology, including ecology, population genetics, management strategies, virus interactions, and virus‑transmission competence, depending on the candidate’s expertise. Additionally, the fellow will be encouraged to develop a scientific project that addresses research gaps related to the transmission or management of vectors of JEV, VSV, or RVFV, leading to peer‑reviewed publications. The fellow may also have the opportunity to be involved in the USDA new world screwworm response.
Learning Objectives
Techniques in entomology, molecular biology, and ecological modelling
Experience in entomological field research, molecular laboratory research, and possibly research within BSL-3, BSL-3Ag and ACL-3 containment
Manuscript preparation and research presentation skills
Domestic and international collaboration with USDA and non‑USDA researchers
Mentor(s) Dr. Lee Cohnstaedt (Lee.Cohnstaedt@usda.gov) and Dr. Dustin Swanson (Dustin.Swanson@usda.gov). For questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Appointment Details Start date: April/May 2026 (flexible). Length: Initially one year, may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and contingent on availability of funds. Level: Full time.
Stipend: $65,000 – $100,000 annually.
Citizenship: U.S. citizen only.
ORISE Information This program is administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). 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; health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.
Questions Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, email ORISE.ARS.Plains@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications Candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a master’s or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. The degree must have been received within the past five years or be anticipated to be received by the start of appointment.
Preferred Skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Previous experience in team and collaborative scientific environments
Project and team leadership experience
Desirable Experience
Previous experience with insect vectors of animal pathogens (field and/or laboratory)
Previous experience with insect genomic and population genetic analyses or modeling
Eligibility Requirements
Citizenship: U.S. citizen only
Degree: Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree
Discipline(s):
Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Computer Vision, Human Language Processing, Machine Learning)
Computer Science (general)
Data Science
Databases, Information Retrieval, and Web Search
Information Science and Technology
Scientific Computing and Informatics
Software Engineering
Engineering
Environmental and Marine Sciences
Life Health and Medical Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 months
#J-18808-Ljbffr