Research Opportunity

Job Description

About the Opportunity

This is a Research Opportunity available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), administered by ORAU through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).

Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
Reference Code: USDA-ARS-PWA-2026-0059
Location: Parlier, California (San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Water Management Research Unit)

Application Details

• Application Deadline: March 13, 2026, 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone. Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.
• How To Apply: To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of the opportunity page and click APPLY.
• A Complete Application Consists Of:
• An application
• Transcript(s): Unofficial transcript or copy of student academic records (printed by applicant or academic advisors from internal institution systems) is acceptable.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list.
• Two educational or professional recommendations.
• All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

Program Description and Mission

• Agricultural Research Service (ARS): The USDA’s chief scientific in-house research agency, dedicated to finding solutions to agricultural problems affecting Americans daily. ARS aims to deliver cutting-edge scientific tools and innovative solutions for farmers, producers, industry, and communities, supporting nourishment, well-being, agroecosystem sustainability, and economic competitiveness.
• San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center (SJVSAC): Conducts innovative research to increase crop productivity, quality, and marketability by solving agricultural problems in an environmentally sustainable manner. The center is located in the San Joaquin Valley of California, one of the world’s most productive agricultural regions, with 100 acres used for research.
• Water Management Research Unit: One of three major units at SJVSAC, with a mission to develop management strategies that use water efficiently, improve agricultural productivity and sustainability, and protect water quality in irrigated agriculture. This training opportunity is specifically provided by this unit.

Research Project

The participant will receive structured, mentored training in agricultural and environmental research within the USDA-ARS Water Management Research Unit. Under the guidance of ARS scientists, the participant will learn field and laboratory research methods that support sustainable water and soil management in the San Joaquin Valley.

Training will include:
• Establishing and maintaining field crop experiments.
• Conducting plant physiological and soil measurements.
• Operating soil respiration, moisture, and related instrumentation.
• Helping with irrigation system setup and maintenance.
• Collecting, preparing, and processing plant, soil, and water samples.
• Learning standard laboratory procedures, data organization practices, and introductory analysis techniques.

Learning Objectives

Additional training will cover research safety, equipment operation, and accurate documentation of scientific activities. Through collaboration with multiple research teams, the participant will develop practical technical skills, strengthen their understanding of agricultural and environmental science, and build a strong foundation for future academic or professional pathways in water management, soil health, and crop research.

Mentor: Sultan Begna (Sultan.Begna@usda.gov). For questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Appointment Details

• Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 2026. Start date is flexible.
• Appointment Length: Initially for one year, with potential for renewal based on ARS recommendation and funding availability.
• Level of Participation: Full time.
• Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $3,200 – $3,418 per month.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.
• Qualifications: The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor’s degree in one of the relevant fields.
• Degree must have been received within the past one year, or anticipated to be received by June 30, 2026.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00.
• Discipline(s):
• Chemistry and Materials Sciences (specifically Environmental Chemistry)
• Environmental and Marine Sciences

ORISE Information

This program is 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), 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

• For questions about the application process, please email ORISE.ARS.PacificWest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
• For questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor, Sultan Begna (Sultan.Begna@usda.gov).