USDA-ARS Rapid Response for Panama Screwworm Program Postdoctoral Fellowship
*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis, and this opportunity may close before the submission deadline.
Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Kerrville, Texas.
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 fellowship is designed to provide an interested individual an opportunity to gain experience in the development of a female-specific attractant for the New World screwworm fly (NWS). Under the guidance of a mentor this project, will involve dissections of olfactory tissues and isolation of RNA for gene expression analysis; 2) collection of NWS and host odors, then chemical analysis using gas chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) with the assistance of a core facility or collaborator; 3) single sensillum recordings (SSR) to measure electrophysiological responses of Drosophila expressing NWS odorant receptors; 4) behavioral assays using a T-maze or two-choice olfactometer. Under the guidance of a mentor, this research project will include the identification and expression of odorant receptors in olfactory tissues (antennae, maxillary palps) of NWS and closely related species, identifying chemical compounds that elicit a physiological response, and developing and employing robust behavioral assays to evaluate putative attractants in the laboratory and in the field.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to utilize chemical ecology techniques to help develop more efficient New World screwworm lures and trapping techniques
- In depth opportunity to develop a female-specific attractant for New World screwworm
- Learn dissection skills for removing arthropod olfactory tissues
- Learn skills to isolate RNA for gene expression analysis
- Learn skills to collect screwworm and host odors that can be used in screwworm specific attractants
- Learn techniques to perform chemical analysis using gas chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS)
- Learn to perform single sensillum recordings to measure electrophysiological responses
- Learn to perform behavioral assays using T-maze or two-choice olfactometers
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Diane McFadgen (diane.mcfadgen@usda.gov). Please contact the mentor for questions about this opportunity.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Summer 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for two years 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, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
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.Plains@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified applicant must have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields.
Preferred Skills:
- Hands-on experience working in laboratory and field settings.
- Fundamental skills in basic molecular biology techniques, entomology, and data analysis.
- Experience in, or willingness to learn, basic analytical chemistry techniques (gas chromatography mass spectrometry), as well as single sensillum recording and studies on olfactory behavior.
- Highly motivated individual dedicated to working in an interdisciplinary environment, which includes basic and applied genomics, bioinformatics, and biology of livestock arthropod pests.
- Strong teamwork skills
- Proficient with computers
- Propensity for translational research.
Eligibility Requirements
- Degree: Doctoral Degree.
- Academic Level(s): Postdoctoral.