USDA-ARS Forage Legume Breeding Internship

How to Apply

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

• An application
• Transcript(s) – 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-MWA-

3/13/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

A research opportunity is available with USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located at the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center in Madison, WI on the University of Wisconsin - Madison campus. The center provides scientific solutions to all aspects of U.S. dairy systems to make them more productive and profitable.

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 delivers cutting‑edge scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support nourishment and well‑being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources;

and ensure economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture.

This opportunity will provide participants a hands‑on experience in forage legume breeding. Participants will gain practical knowledge in all aspects of forage breeding including phenotypic and genotypic evaluation of plants, plant pollination and seed production, research plot establishment and evaluation, and greenhouse tasks associated with plant breeding.

Participants will be trained in plant breeding techniques and will participate in breeding, plant handling, plant maintenance, pollination, and data collection activities.

Heathcliffe Riday (heathcliffe.riday). If you have questions about the nature of the research, contact the mentor.

2026 – start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Initially five months, may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and contingent on availability of funds.

Full time or part time. The mentor is very flexible in scheduling and number of hours per week. Availability for full days during the growing season (Apr/May to Sep/Oct) during daylight hours is necessary.

Monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Anticipated stipend range: $750.00 – $3,000.00 per month depending on level of participation.

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;

health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Please visit our Program Website. If you have additional questions about the application process, email ORISE.ARS.Midwest and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received an associate's or bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields. The degree must have been received within the past three years or be anticipated to be received by the start of the appointment.

• Individuals interested in plant breeding.
• Students who can participate 40 hours per week during the growing season (Apr/May to Sep/Oct).
• Individuals interested in continuing part‑time participation (Nov to Mar).
• Participants with a current driver’s license and own vehicle preferred but not required.

Janeen

Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only

Degree:
Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree received within the last 36 months or currently pursuing.

• Life Health and Medical Sciences
• Agricultural Sciences
• Agriculture
• Agronomy and Crop Science
• Bioinformatics
• Biology (General)
• Botany
• Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Computational Biology
• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics, including Genome Sciences
• Horticulture
• Plant Sciences