Subject: Can’t get a research job because you lack experience?

Description:
Can’t get a research job because you lack experience? Can’t get research
experience because you can’t get the job? Volunteer positions are available
at USDA-ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Genetic Improvement of
Fruits and Vegetables. Part-time volunteers during the school and full-tile
volunteers during summer are very welcome. Get valuable experience and
training to beef up your resume. US citizenship is required. Hours can vary,
but no weekend or evening hours are available. You must be able to drive and
to work in cold, hot, or rainy conditions at times. The project is about
strawberry breeding and genetics with opportunities to learn basic skills and
safety protocols in the field, greenhouse, and some in the lab, working with
experienced technicians and scientists. Field work services the breeding
project as well as the genetics projects and includes planting, maintaining,
weeding, and harvesting strawberry plantings, packaging fruit for postharvest
evaluation, flagging desirable plants, and maintaining plant identity through
labeling and runner removal. Greenhouse work services the breeding project
and includes transplanting seedlings, potting mother plants, pegging runners,
fertilizing plants and managing pests with predator insects. Lab work
services the breeding project through virus detection and elimination and
starts with dishes, autoclaving, equipment maintenance, solution and media
mixing and progresses to 96-well PCR, and extractions of RNA. In addition to
on-the-job experience, volunteers also have access to Ag-Learn, a USDA
on-line training site that provides excellent on-line training in many
diverse areas important for all jobs: internet security awareness,
environmentally friendly waste management, diversity in the workplace, MS
Office proficiency, lab safety, and many others. Please be willing to commit
at a minimum from mid-May through mid-June, 7:00am-3:30pm.

E-mail Dr. Kim Lewers ([log in to unmask]) with your available hours and
resume; include contact information for listed references.

Contact Person: Dr. Kim Lewers
Contact Email: [log in to unmask]