Program Description
The Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) Research Participation Program is designed to provide a flow of qualified researchers to participate in current research activities at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. The PIADC Research Participation Program will provide educational opportunities to participants interested in pursuing research in foreign animal diseases. Participants in this program are expected to help develop advanced technologies applicable to countermeasures against foreign animal diseases. This program is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate.
Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Long Island, NY, is a unique research facility and critical national asset conducting research on animal diseases that threaten the nation's animal industries and exports from catastrophic economic losses caused by foreign animal disease (FAD) agents accidentally or deliberately introduced into the U.S.
Information about PIADC and research currently underway
Information about the DHS role at PIADC
Objectives
- Provide research training/education opportunities in foreign animal diseases
- Provide a flow of researchers interested in pursuing careers in fields related to foreign animal diseases
- Promote the influx of new ideas and skills to achieve PIADC mission
- Enhance interactions with the wider academic, research and private sector communities
Eligibility
The PIADC Research Participation program will provide opportunities for postdoctoral fellows, postgraduates, faculty, students and visiting scientists.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have or be completing an undergraduate (BA, BS or equivalent) or graduate (MS, DVM, PhD, MD or equivalent) degree in veterinary medicine, pathology, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, virology, epidemiology, computational biology, biostatistics, or other discipline related to foreign animal diseases.
- Have or be eligible to obtain security clearance.
- Be a U.S. citizenship or permanent resident alien, or be eligible for a J-1 visa, if foreign national.
This is an equal opportunity program open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era
Application Information
How to Apply
Submit an application package which includes all of the following:
- Completed Application Form
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
- References, transcripts and other documents may be requested during the selection process
- Incomplete applications may not be considered.
- All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
The completed application may be submitted as an e-mail attachment addressed to piadc@orau.org or you may mail a paper copy to:
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
PIADC Research Participation Program
P.O. Box 117, MS 36
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117
What is the Application Deadline?
PIADC Research Participation Program does NOT have application deadlines; applications are accepted on a continuing basis.
Selection and Appointment of Candidates
- ORISE staff screen the applications to ensure that each application is complete and that the applicant meets the basic eligibility criteria.
- Copies of applications are submitted to the PIADC for evaluation.
- References, transcripts and other documents may be requested during the selection process.
- Appointments will be made on the basis of research team needs and availability of funds.
- Best-qualified applicants might be invited for an in-person interview.
- Final selection is made by the PIADC staff.
- Participants will work with PIADC staff to initiate the security clearance process and arrange entrance-on-duty.
- ORISE will administer the appointments of selected individuals.
Note: Applications will be copied and used solely for the purpose of selecting fellows and administering the PIADC Research Participation Program. Disclosure of the information is subject to Public Law 93-579 (Privacy Act of 1974).
Terms of Appointment
This program is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Participants will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with the ORISE, DOE, DHS, USDA, or any other office or agency.
Activation of the appointment is contingent to the satisfactory completion of all the selection, security clearance and visa requirements.
Medical/health insurance is a requirement of the program and is available through ORISE if the participant chooses.
Benefits
- Monthly stipends based on degree level, research areas and experience
- Partial medical/health insurance coverage
- Limited travel/moving reimbursement
- Limited housing allowance
Length of Appointment
Initial appointments are for 12 months but could be renewed on a yearly basis contingent upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
Obligations
- Appointments involve a full-time commitment to the assigned research and development program at PIADC or at designated collaborating institutions as deemed necessary by PIADC scientific staff.
- Participants must commit to continuous resident participation for the duration of the appointment and avoid obligations that will interrupt their research during the term of appointment. The participant's research must be conducted in a manner and according to a time schedule that meets the overall research needs of PIADC.
- Participants are required to present to PIADC reports summarizing their research progress during their appointment and at the end of their program tenure. In addition, participants are required to submit to PIADC a final report including an abstract of the research conducted during the appointment. All published reports, journal articles, or professional presentations that rely on the research conducted during the appointment must acknowledge the Plum Island Animal Disease Center Research Participation Program and the agency supporting the research at PIADC.
For questions or more information, contact Igrid Gregory at piadc@orau.org or (865) 576-8239.