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 Hilo, Hawaii.

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 mission of the Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research Unit at USDA-ARS in Hilo, Hawaii is to develop pre- and postharvest technologies and management strategies for invasive pests, and to open and maintain market access and improved quality of tropical fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops grown in the Pacific Basin. 

Research Project: The fellow will participate in team research focused on the development of postharvest and phytosanitary disinfestation treatments for durable and non-perishable commodities subject to quarantine restrictions. The fellowship will be a part of applied research to evaluate fumigation, heat, cold, and irradiation treatments for controlling insect pests of regulatory concern that limit domestic and international trade. Specific activities will include helping fumigation trials using ethyl formate, phosphine, sulfuryl fluoride, and methyl bromide; conducting controlled heat, cold, and irradiation treatments; maintaining insect colonies; preparing commodities for treatment; and collecting efficacy and quality data. The fellow will participate in experimental execution, routine laboratory and chamber operations, and contribute to the evaluation of treatment performance, including insect mortality, dose–response relationships, and tolerance of treated commodities. 

Learning Objectives: This opportunity will provide exposure to advanced techniques in quarantine biology, experimental design, and safe handling of fumigants and physical control treatments, with additional exposure to practical experience in postharvest pest management, regulatory science, and applied entomology in support of market access and biosecurity programs.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Dong Cha (dong.cha@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: As soon as a candidate is identified. 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 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.PacificWest@orau.org  and include the reference code for this opportunity.