NBAF Laboratorian Training Program

[National Bio & Agro-Defense Facility] Laboratorian Training Program

The Texas Tech Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources is now accepting applications for up to ten undergraduate fellowship positions. This program — sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) — is designed to build technical skills related to animal handling and animal health.

NLTP at-a-glance

Overview of NBAF and USDA programs & history

Research & laboratory trainings

High-impact learning opportunities

Work closely with a faculty mentor of your choosing

Summer research project with USDA-LIRU and Texas Tech University

Resume-boosting and job application preparation

Potential future employers include the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa.

The NBAF Laboratorian Training Program (NLTP) will provide essential animal health knowledge, introduce skills and procedures used to handle animals, and will provide initial training for people interested in applying for technical positions with USDA APHIS or other employers.

Students will have the opportunity to receive hands-on training by industry professionals, work closely with a mentor specializing in topics related to their own interests, and participate in animal science research.

Student Benefits

$6,000 stipend
On-campus housing will be provided during the summer session for those who need accommodations
Hands-on learning and research experience with industry professionals
Class credit towards your degree

How to Apply

Qualifications

Must be a U.S. citizen
Exhibit a strong interest in working at NBAF, NVSL, or in a technical laboratory position
Must be entering junior or senior year of undergraduate program with a degree in the field of animal science, biology, chemistry, microbiology, or related major

Program Requirements

Must enroll in Texas Tech University online course Introduction to High Containment Animal Handling and Laboratory Techniques as a degree-seeking undergraduate student or a non-degree-seeking graduate student (depending on credit preference) during the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters.
Must participate in the three-semester training sequences from January to December. Spring and Fall courses will be online. Summer semester will be on-site at Texas Tech University and the USDA Livestock Issues Research Unit. The three-semester training sequence will consist of formal presentations and interactive discusssions with subject-matter experts and hands-on training activities in a BSL-2 containment laboratory space.
Students will be required to pass a background check.