Description

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 Kearneysville, West Virginia.

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 Appalachian Fruit Research Station is devoted to developing sustainable production practices and breeding novel fruit varieties. Research areas include topics that encompass biology, ecology, entomology, soil science, plant pathology, plant physiology, horticulture, genetics and breeding. The research facility has 500 acres of land with experimental orchards and vineyards, 14,000 square feet of greenhouse space, and state of the art laboratories. You will have the opportunity to train with scientists on projects such as: developing biological control tools to reduce the impacts of the invasive spotted lanternfly, exploring mechanisms behind the emergence of plant diseases in orchards and vineyards, regenerative agriculture soil sampling, and improving fruit quality through development of specific horticultural practices, understanding how plant architecture can improve overall fruit production systems. Hands-on experience will be daily part of your experience.

Learning Objectives

• Chemical ecology of invasive insect pests like spotted lanternfly
• Experimental Design and data curation
• Management of temperate fruit trees and grapevines
• Sustainable management strategies for invasive and persistent insect pests of temperate fruit

Mentor(s)

The mentor for this opportunity is Tracy Leskey (tracy.leskey@usda.gov).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

May 18, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length

The appointment will initially be for six months, 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 $600 - $650 weekly.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing a high school diploma or GED and be enrolled in one of the relevant fields.

Preferred skills:

• A strong interest in being in a research environment that may involve both laboratory and field studies is preferred.