Postgraduate Research Opportunity in Immunology with USDA
A postgraduate research opportunity is available with the the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC), Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit in Orient Point, New York.
The Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) Research Participation Program offers biodefense research opportunities to motivated students and postgraduates interested in developing novel strategies to control foreign animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever (ASF). PIADC is located off the northeast coast of Long Island, NY, and accessible by government-provided ferry from Orient Point, NY, and Old Saybrook, CT.
One of the missions of PIADC is to develop technologies to help mitigate the risks of catastrophic economic losses caused by foreign animal disease agents accidentally or deliberately introduced into the United States.
The objective of this opportunity is to perform research to understand the immune protective mechanisms against ASF and FMD viruses. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be involved in a systems biology approach for this research including: immunology, genomics, bioinformatics and molecular biology using MHC genotyping, epitope mapping, immunoassays, flow cytometry, DNA sequencing, RNA-Seq, molecular cloning, peptide and DNA microarray analysis, Western blotting, etc. Research is performed in a Bio-Safety Level 3 containment laboratory and animal facility.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: FLEXIBLE
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 PIADC. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of PIADC and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at PIADC in the Orient Point, New York, area. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, PIADC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate must have received a master's or doctoral degree in immunology and/or molecular biology, or doctoral in veterinary medicine.
Preferred skills/experience:
- Experience in immunological analyses such as immunoassays, flow cytometry, etc.
- Experience in molecular biological analysis including DNA sequencing, RNA-Seq, molecular cloning, Western blotting, etc.
- Skills to conduct molecular and cellular immunological research such as cell cytotoxic assay, virus neutralization assay, ELISA, MHC genotyping, epitope mapping, peptide and DNA microarray analysis, etc.