USDA-APHIS Veterinary Diagnostic Postdoctoral Fellowship
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A complete application consists of:
- An application
- Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
- A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
- Two educational or professional recommendations. At least one recommendation must be received in order for the mentor to view your application.
*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.
APHIS Office/Lab and Location: Two research opportunities are currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) located in Ames, Iowa.
Research Project: Join us for a unique experience in veterinary diagnostic medicine! NVSL's Veterinary Core supports the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), the United States Department of Agriculture's premier animal disease reference laboratories. Laboratories are located in Ames, Iowa; Plum Island, NY; Dorado, Puerto Rico; and Manhattan, KS. These fellowship appointments will be based in Ames, IA, but fellows will have opportunities to travel to the other laboratories in support of the mission. NVSL provides diagnostic services to federal, state, and private veterinarians in the U.S, and also leads the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.
These appointments focus on training veterinarians with an interest in laboratory diagnostic medicine to gain the expertise needed for careers leading and supporting diagnostic laboratories.
Learning Objectives: Selected fellows will collaborate with microbiologists, veterinarians, laboratory technicians and laboratory directors to support the diagnostic mission. They will have the opportunity to learn surveillance procedures, diagnostic testing methodologies and algorithms, whole genome sequencing, and molecular epidemiology. The Veterinary Core also supports diagnostic reagent production, emergency disease response, and investigation of unusual mortality and morbidity events,. Fellows will have the opportunity to publish in the scientific literature, acquire the experience to pursue board certification and present and travel to scientific meetings.
Mentor(s): The mentor(s) for this opportunity is Suelee Robbe-Austerman (suelee.robbe-austerman@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 2024. 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 APHIS and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.
Participant Stipend: The participants will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The annual stipend rate for this position will be determined upon selection and estimated to be $65,500 if fellow has a veterinary medical degree and $77,500 if fellow has additionally obtained a master's degree or Ph.D. Candidates will also be eligible to receive a health insurance allowance.
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.
Background Investigation Requirements: Background investigations are required for the selected candidate so the individual can work in with select agents and in biocontainment without an escort. Adjudication of a Special Agency Check (SAC) is required before the selected candidate can start. An advanced BI security clearance will be conducted/adjudicated after start date, allowing for unescorted access to biocontainment. An APHIS Select Agent Clearance is also required so that the selected candidate can work with select agents. Paperwork for all of these clearances will be sent to the selected candidate after acceptance of the official offer from ORAU.
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 APHIS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, APHIS, 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.
This is an equal opportunity program open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or covered veteran’s status.
Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email USDA-APHIS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g. Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, Microbiology, Clinical Science, Epidemiology, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Virology, Pathology), or be currently pursuing the degree with completion before the appointment start date.
Research is performed in a BSL-2/3 laboratory, in office and field settings. Interacting with unknown pathogenic agents mandates the use of personal protective gear.
Preferred Skills:
- Proficiency in technical writing, oral communication, interpersonal and organizational skills, as well as critical thinking skills to develop experimental approaches and interpret data
- Demonstrated flexibility and self-motivation
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