Job Description
*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis. APHIS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), located in Ames, Iowa or Manhattan, Kansas. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is a multi-faceted Agency with a broad mission area that includes protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. These efforts support the overall mission of USDA, which is to protect and promote food, agriculture, natural resources and related issues. APHIS’ mission also includes addressing issues such as wildlife damage and disease management; regulation of genetically engineered crops and animal welfare; and protection of public health and safety as well as natural resources that are vulnerable to invasive pests and pathogens. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) are a collection of internationally acclaimed diagnostic laboratories that address many complex and life-threatening diseases and pathogens, affecting both animals and humans. The NVSL’s scientists conduct diagnostics, produce reagents, provide national and international training and travel the world in helping solve complex veterinary disease problems. The NVSL maintains laboratories at the National Centers with Animal Health (NCAH) in Ames, Iowa; National Agro Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas; Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) in Orient, New York; and in Dorado, Puerto Rico. The NVSL diagnostic laboratories provide scientific and technical support to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Program Units engaged in regulations enforcement and animal disease control and eradication. Research Project: This project focuses on enhancing the National Veterinary Services Laboratories’ (NVSL) scientific communication and outreach efforts. The scope includes developing and refining scientific communications, creating and updating website content, supporting presentation development, and improving data organization and management processes to ensure accurate, accessible, and impactful dissemination of information to both internal and external audiences. Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the fellow will learn how regulatory language is developed, interpreted, and applied within a federal framework, gaining practical insight into policy development processes and requirements. With the mentor’s assistance, the fellow will develop skills in crafting routine customer and organizational communications that promote clarity, engagement, and understanding of operational activities. The fellow will also learn how to responsibly and effectively use artificial intelligence and large language models to support communication strategies and policy development. Additionally, with mentorship and collaboration from scientific subject matter experts, the fellow will deepen their understanding of disease-specific communications, laboratory testing procedures, and the development of scientific publications.
