USDA-ARS Cool-Season Grasses Internship

About the role

The USDA-ARS Grass Breeding Program is a research project at the Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit (FSCRU) in Corvallis, OR. The program focuses on developing cool-season grasses including annual and perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, fine fescues, and orchardgrass with improved agronomic performance via resistance to abiotic and biotic plant stresses, seed yield, and utility in turf, forage, and cover cropping systems.

Responsibilities

• Gain experience in mating design and selection within open-pollinated species.
• Utilize high-throughput phenotyping methods in the field, greenhouse, and laboratory to process plants and collect and analyze trait data.
• Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Gain valuable experience in designing experiments, implementing and managing research trials, and making selection decisions.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing or have received an associate's or bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as Crop Science, Seed Science, Plant Breeding, Experimental Design, Open-pollinated species, Grasses, Seed Cleaning, Trial Development, Planting, Tractor Operations, Harvester Operations.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen Only.
• Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Life Health and Medical Sciences.

Skills

• Crop Science
• Seed Science
• Plant Breeding
• Experimental Design
• Open-pollinated species
• Grasses
• Seed Cleaning
• Trial Development
• Planting
• Tractor Operations
• Harvester Operations

Benefits

Participants will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Pay

Details on pay are not specified in the posting.

Schedule

Details on schedule are not specified in the posting.

Contact

If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).