Lab Assistant - (Hybrid Auburn AL)
Workplace Culture
At USDA, we are recommitting ourselves to the values of equity and inclusion rooted in justice and equal opportunity for our employees and those we serve.
Job Description
Duties include:
- Assist with planting, maintaining, and harvesting plant studies
- Assist with weekly collection of lysimeter well samples
- Assist with weekly collection of soil moisture data with a TDR probe
- Assist with weekly collection of gas flux samples
- Assist with preparing plant and soil samples for analysis
- Assist with operating and maintaining root washing machines
- Assist with operating root length scanning machines
- Assist with operating plant and soil grinding machines
- Will be responsible for general clean up of lab and work areas
Location: Auburn, AL
- Hybrid
Hours per week: Flexible
Preferred majors:
- Biosystems Engineering
- Horticulture
- Crop Sciences
Desired Skills:
- Ability to work with a high volume of data while keeping a strict adherence to accuracy and quality control
- A basic understanding of agricultural research
- A working knowledge of general lab equipment
Supervision:
- Interns will report to the National Agricultural Library - Data Production Division - Indexing & Informatics Branch.
- Interns will receive guidance and feedback from supervisor daily, weekly, or as needed.
- Interns formal evaluation are completed at the following segments of the internship session, Mid-term and Final Performance Evaluation.
Requirements Conditions of Employment
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Must be in good academic standing as defined by their academic institution.
- Satisfactory Background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- The position is renewable, based upon effective performance, availability of funds, and program needs, with the possibility of a multiple-year appointment.
Documents to have when applying:
- Resume
- College Transcript(s)
- References
General Information
About USDA and HACU
For the past 27 years, USDA has partnered with HACU to provide internship opportunities for hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students. These internships provide valuable professional experience for students while also exposing students to the important work that is done at USDA. The students also make significant contributions to the sub-agencies.
This partnership with HACU represents a larger USDA strategy aimed at ensuring a diverse, prepared, and competitive workforce that is vital to establishing a sustainable agricultural future. As a result of their positive internship experiences and supportive and inclusive culture at USDA, many former HACU students are now members of the USDA permanent workforce.