USDA-ARS Fellowship: Nutritional Transcriptomics in Dairy Cattle

Research Project

The mission of the research facility is to develop strategies to improve dairy cow performance and nutrient use efficiency through advances in nutrition, genetics, and microbiology. The specific project the participant will be involved with is to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying dairy cattle metabolic and enteric diseases. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will perform RNA extraction, quality control, RNA sequencing library preparation using both bulk and single cell RNA sequencing technologies, and bioinformatics data analysis.

• Learn large animal trial management and bioinformatics techniques required for metagenomics and metatranscriptomics analysis.
• Develop scientific networking, management and career development skills through participation in scientific meetings and interaction with academic and industry stakeholders.

• Currently pursuing or has received a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields.
• Degree must have been received within the past five years or be currently pursuing.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizen only.

• Degree:
  Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree.
• Discipline(s):
  Engineering (Agricultural Engineering, Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering, Biological/Biosystems Engineering) or Life Health and Medical Sciences.

• Full‑time appointment for an initial one year term, potentially renewable upon recommendation of ARS and contingent on the availability of funds.
• Monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.
• Participants are not employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator and there are no employment‑related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required; health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Anticipated appointment start date: 2026 (flexible).