Student Jobs

The Precision Dairy Nutrition Lab, part of the USDA Dairy Forage Research Center, focuses on precision animal nutrition. Through data analysis and animal trials, we seek to identify individual differences in animals that might impact feed efficiency and productivity. Goals are to identify factors that improve animal health, productivity, decrease animal greenhouse gas emissions, and improve overall nutrition in dairy animals.

Flexible hours based on your schedule, mainly between 7am-5pm, but some alternative hours may be available.

Please note the tentative start date. The federal hiring process can take several weeks to a over a month. 

This position provides the opportunity for an undergraduate student to gain experience working in dairy nutrition research in the laboratory working with animal and feed samples. Training will be provided, and responsibilities will evolve with experience and willingness to learn. If interested, some job duties will involve working with dairy cattle at the USDA research farm in Prairie du Sac. 

Duties will include:

• Helping obtain and process samples of feed and animal origin
• Collecting and recording experimental data
• General laboratory maintenance
• Data entry
• Assisting other staff and scientists when necessary

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Willingness to work in a laboratory setting and with dairy cattle (training will be provided).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Job may involve prolonged standing and walking short distances.
• Duties include occasionally lifting (~40 pounds).
• Some work may take place in open air or non-temperature-controlled buildings (please consider any allergies to grass or ragweed pollen!)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:           

• Dependability/reliability
• Attention to detail
• Good organization
• Ability to work independently and efficiently on assigned tasks

Resume and cover letters can be sent to michelle.schwab@usda.gov. Please explain why you are interested in this position and indicate your major, year in school, and research/work experience (if any).