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 Madison, Wisconsin.

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 U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center (USDFRC) is to lead the world in integrated dairy forage systems research. The Center is dedicated to providing dairy industry solutions for food security, environmental sustainability, and economic viability through science-based research initiatives focused on improving dairy production systems, soil ecology, forage production, and ecosystem services.

Research Project

The participant will have the opportunity to contribute to the modernization of high-performance agricultural research facilities at the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center. This project focuses on transitioning legacy infrastructure to state-of-the-art systems that support cutting-edge dairy forage research. Key areas of engagement include environmental controls, energy efficiency, and biosecurity standards critical to ensuring the integrity of scientific data. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will analyze and propose engineering solutions to align facility operations with rigorous research requirements, gaining hands-on experience in biosystems engineering, facility management, and federal compliance processes.

Learning Objectives

• Learn to analyze and interpret complex engineering drawings and schematics, gaining an understanding of how mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems interact within agricultural research facilities.
• Collaborate with engineers and facility managers to explore theoretical solutions for modernizing infrastructure, focusing on energy efficiency, environmental controls, and biosecurity requirements.
• Observe and engage in the stages of federal construction and repair projects, from requirements gathering and design to on-site implementation, fostering a comprehensive understanding of project management in public service.
• Research advancements in agricultural engineering, such as automated climate control systems, and evaluate their potential applications to improve facility operations.
• Synthesize technical observations and findings into professional reports and presentations suitable for review by senior engineering staff, emphasizing clarity and precision.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

• Prior experience working in or for a federal research facility and familiarity with federal contracting useful for facility projects.

Appointment Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: February 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 full time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend is $9,000 monthly.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.