USDA-ARS Biological Science Fellow in Fish Nutrition

*Applications are 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 Bozeman, Montana.

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: This project involves conducting research in Aquatic Animal Nutrition through the the USDA-ARS Aberdeen Small Grains and Potato Research Station. The fellowship will be located at the Bozeman Fish Technology Center in Bozeman, Montana.  In this fellowship, you will gain experience in aquatic biology, focusing on fish nutrition and feed manufacturing. You will help analyze the nutritional requirements of various aquatic species, learn how to develop and formulate specialized feeds to meet the nutritional needs of these species, and conduct trials to determine the effectiveness of formulated feeds. You will collaborate with the hatchery, feed mill, and analytical laboratory managers to manufacture and analyze feeds, monitor and assess the growth, proximate composition, and health of the aquatic species. You will analyze research records and create detailed reports on feed formulation and fish growth performance. 

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will:

• Learn to conduct research in aquatic animal nutrition through collaboration with the USDA-ARS Aberdeen Small Grains and Potato Research Station and the Bozeman Fish Technology Center.
• Gain experience in aquatic biology, with emphasis on fish nutrition and feed manufacturing.
• Develop skills in analyzing the nutritional requirements of various aquatic species.
• Learn to formulate and manufacture specialized feeds designed to meet species-specific nutritional needs.
• Conduct feeding trials to evaluate the effectiveness of formulated feeds on growth and health performance.
• Collaborate with hatchery, feed mill, and analytical laboratory managers to manufacture, analyze, and assess feed quality.
• Gain experience by monitoring and evaluating fish growth, proximate composition, and overall health in response to dietary treatments.
• Gain experience by analyzing research data and preparing detailed reports on feed formulation strategies and fish growth performance outcomes.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Wendy M. Sealey (wendy.sealey@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 3, 2026. 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 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. The anticipated stipend range is $4,500 – $6,000 monthly.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

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 ORISE.ARS.PacificWest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the one of the relevant fields (Animal Science, Aquaculture, Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, or closely related biological science). 

Preferred skills:

• Biology – Knowledge of plant and animal living tissue, cells, organisms, and entities, including their functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other.
• Research – Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Applies Technology to Tasks – Selects and understands procedures, machines, or tools that will produce the desired results; identifies or solves problems in machines, computers, or other technologies as they are related to performing tasks.
• Interest in nutrition and fish physiology and be able to apply that knowledge to aquacultural systems.

Stipend

$4,500.00 – $6,000.00 Monthly

Point of Contact

Janeen

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree.