Field/Lab Data Collection and Analysis

Field/Lab Data Collection and Analysis

Department: Department of the Interior

Location(s): Kearneysville, West Virginia

Salary Range: $0 - $0 Without Compensation

Job Summary: Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and valuable career-ready skills. With this project, you'll support a research-based project.

Major Duties:

• Work Schedule and Flexibilities: Work schedule: 8-20 hours per week depending on the week, potentially some field work which would require invitational travel. In-person work. Project Description: Research support mainly for a Great Lakes Fishery Commission funded cohabitation study to determine if melanoma cancer is transmissible in brown bullhead. The study will begin mid-May and last 6 months, but the student's help for a single academic term (summer) would be sufficient. Duties include: Helping with fish care and data collection during the experiment but would also get the opportunity to work on other ongoing collaborative studies with things such as extracting DNA/RNA from samples waiting to be extracted Helping with field sampling fish for different projects Helping with histology related lab work.

Qualifications: Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs. Specifically, applicants should have: An interest in science and research, everything else can be taught on the job. Training will be required and provided for certain activities such as laboratory safety, first aid/CPR for field work, defensive driving course, basic laboratory skills such as pipetting, RNA/DNA extractions, PCR, immunohistochemistry, histology, etc., basic field sampling skills such as fish necropsy and sample collection best practices. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program, as authorized under 5 U.S.C §31114 and 5 CFR Part 3085, enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration. These assignments are designed to align with each agency's strategic priorities, offering participants practical experience within Federal operations while supporting the advancement of targeted initiatives.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. A complete application package must be sent by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/10/2026 to pathways_pmf@ios.doi.gov to receive consideration. Your application email should indicate the project(s) to which you are seeking consideration. We are not accepting online applications, please follow the instructions above to apply.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-10