MS/PhD Fellowship in Monoclonal Antibody Research for High Consequence Animal Pathogens

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is offering a unique fellowship opportunity for master's or PhD candidates to participate in advanced research on monoclonal antibody resources against high consequence animal pathogens. The position is based at the National Bio- and Agro- Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas, and is designed to provide hands-on experience in hybridoma technology, immunology, and veterinary diagnostics. The selected fellow will work within the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL), a key component of APHIS, which provides diagnostic support for transboundary animal diseases such as African Swine Fever, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and other high-impact veterinary pathogens. The research project focuses on expanding FADDL's capacity to produce and characterize monoclonal antibody reagents, involving both the recovery of existing hybridomas and the generation of new ones. The fellow will gain experience in culturing hybridoma cell lines, producing monoclonal antibodies, performing quality control assays (including isotyping, variable domain sequencing, and contamination testing), and developing new hybridoma lines against a range of veterinary pathogens. Targeted pathogens include African Swine Fever Virus, Classical Swine Fever Virus, Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus, Lumpy Skin Disease Virus, Japanese Encephalitis Virus, Rift Valley Fever Virus, Nipah, Hendra, Ebola, Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, and others requiring diagnostic differentiation in livestock. The project will also involve sub-cloning hybridomas and utilizing recombinantly produced antigens for antibody development, providing exposure to cutting-edge biosafety and diagnostic techniques. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have received or be pursuing a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field. Preferred skills include technical writing, flexibility, self-motivation, experience with mammalian cell culture (especially hybridomas), protein production and purification, and handling laboratory animals. The appointment is full-time, initially for one year with possible renewal, and offers a competitive stipend ($51,000–$75,000 annually) based on experience and education. Health insurance is required and can be arranged through ORISE. To apply, candidates should submit an application via the Zintellect portal, including an unofficial transcript, current resume/CV, and two recommendations. All documents must be in English. The application deadline is June 5, 2026. For more information, contact Michael Puckette ([email protected]) or email [email protected] with the reference code USDA-APHIS-2026-0097. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in immunology, veterinary science, animal health, and advanced laboratory research, offering a pathway to develop expertise in monoclonal antibody production and animal disease diagnostics at a leading federal research facility.