USDA-ARS Internship

About the role

This mentored research opportunity exists at the intersections of plant pathology, microbial ecology, and plant biology. Several ongoing projects are available and are adaptable to your interests and educational requirements:

• Classifying microbiome response in rhizosphere and phyllosphere to plants subjected to abiotic stress and/or pathogen infection
• Understanding the role of host cell wall and carbohydrate composition in microbial community assembly
• Developing and/or testing of biological control strains
• Identifying mechanisms of biological control strains

Learning Objectives

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will have the opportunity to learn to:

• Conduct microbiology, and cell culture of fungi and/or bacteria, microscopy and cellular staining techniques
• Complete nucleic acid extraction of plant and/or soil samples, amplification of barcode genes for microbiome analysis, analysis of DNA sequence data
• Apply gene expression analysis in microbes and/or plants
• Understand inoculation of cereals with plant pathogens, rating disease symptoms, maintenance and care of plants in growth chamber and greenhouse settings

Requirements

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of study
• Degree must have been received within the past one year and six months, or is anticipated to be received by 12/31/2026

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one semester of lab-based microbiology course
• At least one semester of lab-based research experience
• Proficiency with micropipettes
• Experience with culturing microbes

Benefits

• Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Stipend

$2,655.00 – $3,000.00 monthly

Citizenship

U.S. Citizen Only

Eligibility

• Must be 18 years of age