USDA-ARS Chemical Ecology and Pest Ant Control Internship
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 Gainesville, Florida.
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 project deals in general with pest ant semiochemicals and their use in enhancing pest ant detection and control. The imported fire ants have been a model for discovery of repellants, attractants, and phagostimulants for decades and provide precedent for other pest ant species. The participant will be guided by the mentor through the development of bioassays needed to guide the initial detection of electric ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) and the tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva) semiochemicals. The participant will be part of a team engaged in the complicated operations for isolation and identification of pest ant semiochemicals.
Learning Objectives: The participant will gain experience in the scientific process used to isolate the source and chemical composition of potentially useful natural attractants, arrestents, and repellents from these ant species. In these experiments the response of the ants guides the identification of the semiochemical source, as well as the ultimate chemical identification. Pest ants are responsible for >9 billion dollars in control costs and damage repair.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Robert Vander Meer (bob.vandermeer@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Spring 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 9 months, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is part-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 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.Southeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields (Zoology, Biology, or most preferred - Entomology).
Preferred skills:
- Experience with insects
- Experience with social insects or specifically ants preferred
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree.