You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

USDA-ARS Poultry Gastrointestinal Health Research Internship

*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline.

ARS Office/Lab and LocationA research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at the Biosciences Research Laboratory located in Fargo, North Dakota. The laboratory is engaged in a variety of research projects directed towards understanding the fate and disposition of chemicals in food animals and(or) animal products.

Research ProjectThis project seeks to provide training/experience to an individual interested in research on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) of feed additives developed for the poultry industry. 

The presence of pathogens within the normal gut biota is considered a high risk factor for contamination of animal carcasses at slaughter and during carcass processing. Factors which enable pathogen colonization in live animals are considered ripe targets for developing pathogen mitigation strategies. Conversely, factors which reduce the ability of a pathogen to colonize gastrointestinal tracts are also targets for pre-harvest pathogen intervention strategies.

Many naturally-occurring organic acids and mixtures of glycerol-esters of organic acids inhibit colonization of bacterial pathogens in poultry intestines. Although some organic acid esters are believed to directly inhibit pathogens, other data suggest that organic acid esters enhance the effectiveness of a bird’s immune system. Direct action of glycerol esters on pathogens would require activity in the gastrointestinal tract, whereas immune system enhancement would require the absorption of intact glycerol esters. The proposed cooperative study is designed to determine whether bioactive glycerol monoesters are absorbed intact, or whether they are metabolized in the GI tract prior to absorption.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant may expect to materially participate in laboratory and animal studies using low-energy radioisotopes, to quantify those isotopes in tissues, excreta, and expired air, to determine the chemical fate of dosed compounds, and to summarize data in meaningful reports.

Learning ObjectivesSuccessful efforts will enhance participant understanding of, and skills in: 1) conducting designed in vitro and live animal studies; 2) the use of low-energy radioisotopes in animal experiments; 3) quantitative analyses of radiochemicals from solid, liquid, and gaseous matrices; 4) chromatographic techniques to characterize purity and identity of chemical compounds; and 5) data and analyses and summary. The participant may expect to gain a broad technical skill set applicable to a variety of academic, private-sector, and(or) governmental laboratories.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is David Smith (david.j.smith@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: October 1, 2020.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment(s) 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(s) will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

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

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 USDA-ARS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.