USDA-ARS Advancing Harvested Forage Systems Farm Sustainability

How to Apply

To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.

• An application
• Transcripts – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted.  for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• 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.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA-ARS-SEA-

7/3/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

ARS Office/Lab and

Location:

A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Booneville, Arkansas.

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 everyday 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.

Small farms represent 82% of all farms in the United States, making their success essential to the nation's agricultural resilience, rural economies, and environmental stewardship. The Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center plays a role in supporting these producers by developing strategies that reduce production risks, improve profitability, and encourage adoption of innovative and sustainable farming practices.

The participant will review all relevant literature concerning impacts of baling high‑moisture hay on long‑term storage and forage quality, and trade‑offs of potential solutions. Under the guidance of the mentor, the participant will create a decision‑support tool to develop a systematic model that considers producer needs, technical aspects of the hay‑making process and their interactions, and the action of consequences of various options for managing high moisture hay.

The DST will be customizable, allowing farmers to input scenarios and assess outcomes and impacts of potential solutions. For example, input may include hay baled at 22% moisture; the tool will provide solutions such as acid application and rate of application or bale wrapping and describe the trade‑offs for each solution such as costs and impacts on forage quality (+/- crude protein availability, +/- fiber digestibility, +/- dry matter losses, etc.)

and long‑term storage (+/- heating, +/- mold).

The participant will gain experience with modelling complex interactions, develop proficiency in the platform used to build the model, and improve technical communication and transfer.

Christine Nieman (christine.c.nieman)

2026 (flexible; start date depends on administrative factors)

The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Full time.

The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $48,000 – $55,000 annually.

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

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.

• Received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree
• Disciplines:
  Life Health and Medical Sciences (including Agricultural Sciences, Agriculture, Agronomy and Crop Science, Animal Behavior, Animal Health and Food Safety, Animal Sciences, Biochemistry, Biology (General), Ecology, Ecosystem Ecology, Plant Sciences)

Sara Beth