USDA-ARS Research Opportunity in Precision Nutrition and Greenhouse Gases

*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 Madison, Wisconsin.

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 Dairy Forage Research Unit enhances the production capacity, efficiency, product quality and sustainability of dairy systems through better understanding and management of the factors and relationship affecting dairy cattle nutrition. Join a dynamic laboratory that focuses on research involving precision dairy cattle nutrition and greenhouse gas emissions. This project supports the objective of understanding the contribution of dairy cattle at different life stages to enteric greenhouse gas emissions when fed different diets in an experimental setting. The research will support enhancing models used to predict greenhouse gases from animals consuming a variety of diets that are also beneficial to agronomic inputs to better understand enteric contributions from dairy cattle. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn how to utilize equipment related to greenhouse gas emissions and handling data associated with these experiments.
• The selected candidate will learn how to calibrate, maintain, and manage data from various equipment used in these studies.
• Basic maintenance including checking airflows, gas levels, gas recovery and calibrations.
• Additional tasks may include troubleshooting technical issues if they arise during an experimental period.
• Other opportunities include learning to utilize monitors for monitoring to dairy cow feeding behaviors and general activity.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Elizabeth French (elizabeth.french@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 2024.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for nine months, 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. Stipend range is $3,200-$3,500 monthly plus a health insurance supplement.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) 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.Midwest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor’s degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.