USDA-ARS Fellowship in Germplasm Biobanking for Valuable Poultry Resources: Maryland

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Agency

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Location

Beltsville, Maryland

Job Category

Post Doctoral Appointments

Salary

TBD

Last Date to Apply

10/24/2022

Website

https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-ARS-2022-0311

Description

*Applications may be 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 Beltsville, Maryland. 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: The Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory conducts basic and applied research across multiple disciplines related to poultry and swine production. One major area of research involves improving fertility prediction and germplasm conservation in commercial and specialized lines of poultry. The specific research project for this training opportunity is focused on developing novel methods of vitrifying gametes and immature gonadal tissue in order to improve the ability to regenerate valuable poultry lines from biobanked materials. The participant will develop and conduct experiments with mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants and straw-in-straw packaging to vitrify spermatozoa and gonads, and will evaluate the effectiveness of those methods to produce live poultry offspring. Learning Objectives: The participant will gain knowledge, skills, and abilities in cryobiology, assisted reproductive techniques, molecular biology, and poultry husbandry. The participant will have the opportunity to develop collaborations and positive interactions with academic institutions and industry partners central to preserving valuable agricultural genetic resources. Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Julie Long (julie.long@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor. Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 2022. 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 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, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation. 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 USDA-ARS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the last seven months. Preferred Skills: - Knowledge and skills in histology - Experience in ovo culture methods - Experience with small animal surgical techniques - Ability for critical thinking in experimental design

Contact Person

USDA-ARS@orau.org

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