Organization
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Reference Code
USDA-ARS-SEA-2026-0142
How to Apply
To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.
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. 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
All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
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Application Deadline
5/22/2026 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 Oxford, 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.
Research Project: The participant will conduct research on soil erosion research with an emphasis on high-resolution measurements of topographical changes and soil loss issues within U.S. farmlands. This research will provide datasets for hillslope- to landscape-scale hydrology and erosion technology to limit associated risks to U.S. farmlands and agricultural resources.
Learning Objectives: During this appointment, the participant will develop hands-on experience working within an interdisciplinary research team, gaining insight into how diverse fields collaborate to address complex problems. They will also learn how to effectively integrate multiple data sources and apply a range of analytical techniques, strengthening their ability to synthesize information and draw meaningful conclusions.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Ron Bingner (ron.bingner@usda.gov ) and Robert Wells (robert.wells@usda.gov ). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: As soon as possible. 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 $2,000 - $5,000 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.Southeast@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.
Preferred skills:
- Knowledge of environmental and hydrologic investigations in laboratory or field conditions.
- Experience collecting field measurements of surface water, groundwater, and soil samples for analysis.
- Knowledge of tools such as ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, Trimble GNSS system, and Garmin GPS.
Stipend
$2,000.00 – $5,000.00 Monthly
Point of Contact
Janeen
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree.
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Discipline(s):
- Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (2 )
- Earth and Geosciences (4 )
- Engineering (1 )
- Environmental and Marine Sciences (2 )
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