USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Research Opportunity: Development of Novel Vaccines for Poultry Viral Diseases
Location: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Athens, Georgia, USA
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.
Closes: 27 February 2026
Research Project:
The ORISE participant will be part of the research team learning about developing recombinant Marek's disease virus vaccines to prevent both Marek's disease and other poultry diseases. The project involves the construction of recombinant vaccines using molecularly cloned Marek's disease virus as a vector platform and the evaluation of the efficacy against Marek's disease and targeted poultry disease. The participant will construct the recombinant Marek's disease virus that expresses the foreign antigens. The participant will learn the construction of recombinant avian herpesvirus vaccines, conduct vaccine efficacy studies to develop novel poultry vaccines, including sample collection from animals, execution of viral genome detection, and data analysis.
Learning Objectives:
During the fellowship, the participant will acquire the following skills and knowledge through hands-on training:
- Recovery of Infectious Avian Herpesviruses: The fellow will learn the techniques required to recover infectious avian herpesviruses from DNA transfection processes, gaining a deeper understanding of molecular virology and virus recovery methods.
- Quantification of Virus Infectivity and Titer: The participant will be trained to accurately quantify virus infectivity and determine viral titers, developing expertise in virological assays and data interpretation.
- Modification of Cloned Virus Genome: The fellow will gain proficiency in using advanced recombineering technologies to modify cloned virus genomes, learning how to apply genetic engineering techniques for the study and manipulation of viral pathogens.
- Evaluation of Vaccinal Efficacy: The participant will learn how to evaluate the vaccinal efficacy of Marek's disease virus vector vaccines, including experimental design, data collection, and analysis to assess vaccine performance and effectiveness.