USDA-ARS Fellowship in Modernization of Cotton Ginning

Application Deadline

4/26/2024 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

*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 Stoneville, Mississippi.

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.

The Cotton Ginning Research Unit is part of the USDA Agricultural Research Service located in Stoneville, MS. The research unit focuses on improving cotton quality and sustainability during the harvesting, ginning, and transportation processes. Additionally, the Unit has begun to study the processing of alternative natural fibers, such as industrial hemp, using fiber processing knowledge from the cotton industry. 

Research Project: Under guidance of a mentor, the participant will be primarily involved in the following activities:

• Co-design and modification of cotton ginning machinery for improved fiber quality: to include small-scale and full-scale equipment, module opening, seed cotton cleaning, ginning, and lint cleaning equipment
• Investigate the modification of cotton ginning equipment for processing and quality improvement of industrial hemp fiber, to focus on the separation of fiber and hurd and the particle size separation of hurd materials
• Collaboration with USDA researchers on the design and execution of research projects to help improve cotton ginning and processing of other natural fibers, such as industrial hemp
• Planning and conducting research to help automate and improve the sustainability of cotton ginning and processing
• Attend meetings with colleagues and industry associates to discuss the progress and direction of on-going research assignments

Learning Objectives: As a result of this opportunity, the participant will improve their skills in research project planning, lint cleaner operation and design, ginning machinery design, and quality testing for natural fibers. This opportunity will also lead to an expansion of the participant's knowledge about the emerging domestic industrial hemp industry.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Chris Delhom (chris.delhom@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: April 8, 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 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 ORISE.ARS.Southeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the relevant fields. 

Preferred skills/experience:

• Possess an undergraduate degree in an engineering field, or a graduate engineering degree, is highly desired.
• The ideal candidate should have experience and familiarity with the cotton ginning industry, natural fiber processing, or textile industry.

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree.