USDA-ARS Fellowship in Computational Modeling for Invasive Tropical Pest Management

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service conducts scientific research to address agricultural problems and support American agriculture. This fellowship involves extending computational models for invasive insect surveillance and management, implementing simulation code, reviewing literature, analyzing model outputs, and supporting laboratory research activities.

What you'll do:

• Helping to implement computer code to simulate insect invasions
• Searching the literature for parameters to make models realistic
• Analyzing output from simulation runs using established statistical techniques
• Design and execution of experiments
• Data collection
• Data summarization
• Learn to extend and refine computational models used to simulate surveillance and management strategies for invasive insects
• Develop skills in programming and code implementation to build and run invasion-simulation models
• Strengthen abilities in literature review and parameter identification to support realistic model development
• Gain experience analyzing model outputs using established statistical techniques to interpret invasion dynamics and risk patterns
• Build foundational laboratory research skills, including experimental design, data collection, and data summarization
• Understand principles of risk management and biological invasion modeling within the context of agricultural pest threats

What they're looking for:

• Candidate should have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Quantitative Biology, or a related field of study
• Degree must have been received within the last five years
• • Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• • Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s)
• Knowledge of mathematical modeling, computer programing, statistics, and data collection are desirable

Benefits:

• Opportunity to publish results of your work in peer-reviewed journals.
• Training necessary to prepare the student for a career in agricultural research.
• Under the guidance of a mentor, learn to extend and refine computational models used to simulate surveillance and management strategies for invasive insects.
• Under the guidance of a mentor, develop skills in programming and code implementation to build and run invasion-simulation models.
• Under the guidance of a mentor, strengthen abilities in literature review and parameter identification to support realistic model development.
• Under the guidance of a mentor, gain experience analyzing model outputs using established statistical techniques to interpret invasion dynamics and risk patterns.
• Under the guidance of a mentor, build foundational laboratory research skills, including experimental design, data collection, and data summarization.
• Under the guidance of a mentor, understand principles of risk management and biological invasion modeling within the context of agricultural pest threats.
• Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.