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Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education · 4 days ago

USDA-ARS Citrus Breeding Research Intern

Fort Pierce, FL

Internship

Onsite

Intern

$53K/yr - $85K/yr

Start in 2026 Winter

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education offers a research opportunity with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) focused on citrus breeding and genetics. The intern will participate in developing new citrus rootstocks and hybrids, conducting experiments, and analyzing data in various environments.

Government Administration

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Join a highly active and productive citrus rootstock breeding and genetics project, involving laboratory, greenhouse, and field site activities

Develop superior new citrus rootstocks and other useful citrus hybrids, with increased tolerance or resistance to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses, high fruit productivity and fruit quality, and superior traits for efficient propagation in the nursery

Be part of a collaborative team research effort in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field environment

Create and apply experimental designs and treatments, collect and analyze experimental data, and evaluate thousands of unique hybrid citrus genotypes for multiyear performance in replicated testing

Assemble significant relevant data that solve important citrus industry and citrus nursery problems, which will be presented at industry and professional conferences and published in refereed scientific journals

Involved in a broad range of activities in plant breeding and horticulture research, from measurements of tree size and fruit crop to sophisticated genomic analysis, development of molecular markers, and determination of bacterial and virus disease titers

Qualification

Plant breedingGenetic analysisHorticultureField researchLaboratory techniquesData analysisTeam collaborationCommunication skills

Required

Currently pursuing or have received an associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g. horticulture, plant science, botany, or agriculture)

U.S. Citizen Only

Preferred

Significant courses and/or experience involving plants in the greenhouse and field environment, along with indication of being comfortable working outdoors