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George Mason University
Job Opportunity

USDA-ARS Part Time Post Doc Research Fellow at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

Full Job Details

Employer: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

Expires: 04/03/2026

*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 Newark, Delaware.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 research fellow will participate in collaborative research to develop knowledge bases of the behavior, ecology, physiology, and genetics of invasive insect pests and their natural enemies for development of effective biological control strategies and associated technologies against high-impact invasive wood-boring insect pests, such as emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).   Research will occur both in a laboratory quarantine facility and in agricultural fields or forests across the U.S.  Specific activities are:Cooperate with ARS and University scientists to rear and maintain colonies of EAB and ALB and their parasitoids needed for both laboratory and field research, and;To study the biology, ecology and behavior of EAB and ALB parasitoids introduced for biological control.Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will gain experience in:Researching approaches to studying the behavior, ecology, physiology, and or genetics of invasive wood-boring insects and their natural enemiesData management and statistical analysis for laboratory and field experiments on insect behavior Being a part of projects and scientific writing to publish research results in peer-reviewed journalsMentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Jian Duan (jian.duan@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 4, 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 part time.Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $45,000 - $49,000 annually.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.Northeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.Qualifications The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (Entomology). Degree must have been received within the past five years.Preferred skills:Strong skills in insect identification, taxonomy, and rearing of emerald ash borers and Asian long-horned beetles and their parasitoidsStipend $45,000.00 – $49,000.00 YearlyPoint of Contact JaneenEligibility Requirements Citizenship: U.S. Citizen OnlyDegree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).

* The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.