USDA-ARS Fellowship in Coffee Soil Science and Plant Health

*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 Hilo, Hawaii.

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 ORISE fellow will participate in research on coffee soil fertility and nutrient management in Hawaii and Central America to build farm resilience and grower stability. Activities will involve, but may not be limited to: 

• Review of coffee fertilization practices from other coffee regions,
• Areawide surveys of coffee soils and leaf tissue,
• Interpretation of results from soil/tissue analyses to identify nutrient deficiencies and imbalances, and translate into updated fertilization recommendations for various growing regions,
• Optimization of timing and rotation of granular and foliar fertilizer inputs to correct deficiencies and offset uptake issues, and
• Investigation of ground covers and shade trees as a way to increase soil fertility and moisture retention, while reducing herbicide use and pest/disease reservoirs.

Learning Objectives: This opportunity will provide the ORISE fellow with knowledge of Hawaii and Central America's unique and economically important coffee industries, while providing exposure and experience with small farmers, as well as gaining knowledge on coffee pests, diseases, and soil health issues. This opportunity will provide the training necessary to prepare the ORISE fellow for an exciting career in agricultural research. 

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Melissa Johnson (melissa.johnson@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, 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 only.

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.PacificWest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past four years, or currently pursuing.

Preferred skills:

• Experience conducting applied agricultural research on soil fertility and nutrient management.
• Familiarity with soil management practices that improve crop yield, soil and plant health, resource efficiency, water quality, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Knowledge of principles underlying fertilization strategies, organic amendments, nutrient uptake and release, and cover crops.
• Experience with farmers of diverse age and ethnicities.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, functional Spanish a plus.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 48 months or currently pursuing.
• Overall GPA: 3.60
• Academic Level(s): Graduate Students or Postdoctoral.