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Biosecurity Research Institute

High Containment Laboratory Technician Training Program 

NBAF Laboratorian Training Program (NLTP)Application status

The Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI) at Kansas State University are accepting applications for up to ten undergraduate fellowship positions. This U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) sponsored program is designed to build technical skills related to high containment diagnostics. Potential employers include the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) at the new National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, IA.

The NBAF Laboratorian Training Program (NLTP) will provide essential knowledge for working with pathogens in a high containment environment, an introduction to skills and procedures used in a diagnostic laboratory, and will provide initial training for people interested in applying for technical positions with USDA APHIS or other employers.

Qualifications:
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Must be entering junior or senior year of undergraduate study OR have recently graduated from an accredited undergraduate program with a degree in the field of biology, chemistry, microbiology, agriculture or other related major.
  • Exhibit a strong interest in working at NBAF or NVSL in a technical laboratory position.
Program requirements:
Must enroll in K-State’s online course DMP 691 Introduction to High Containment Laboratory Topics and Techniques as a degree seeking undergraduate student or a non-degree seeking undergraduate or graduate student (depending on credit preference) during the summer 2021 semester.

Must attend an eight-week training seminar at BRI held June 7 through July 30, 2021. Fellows will be required to enroll in K-State course DMP 690 Essential Practices for BSL-3 Research during this same time period. The seminar program will consist of formal presentations and interactive discussions with subject matter experts and hands-on training activities in the BSL-3 training laboratory and BSL-2 containment laboratory space. Students will be required to pass a background check prior to June 2021.

Benefits:
$5,000 stipend

Required application materials:

Each applicant must submit the following:

  • Completed NLTP application form (PDF), including three professional references

  • Current Curriculum vitae

  • Formal application letter expressing your interest in the program

Deadline:
For priority consideration, applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CT, November 29, 2020.

Notification emails will be sent to applicants around December 18, 2020. 

Submit all application materials to:  jlwillix@k-state.edu

Informational Meetings: 

Informational meetings will be held via Zoom, please contact Ashley Bilyeu (adoerfler@bri.ksu.edu) for a Zoom invitation.

Dates and times of Informational meetings:

Wednesday, Oct 14      3 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct 20          10 a.m.

Thursday, Oct 29         Noon

Monday, Nov 9            1 p.m.

NLTP informational meetings flyer (PDF) 

NLTP application form (PDF)

Who should attend information meetings:

Junior and senior level undergraduate students, or Winter 2020/Spring 2021 B.S. graduates, interested in working in high
containment technical laboratory positions.

When should you attend information meetings:

Wednesday, Oct 14, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct 20, 10 a.m.
Thursday, Oct 29, Noon
Monday, Nov 9, 1 p.m.

Informational meetings will be held via Zoom, please contact Ashley Bilyeu (adoerfler@bri.ksu.edu) for a Zoom invitation.

NLTP Student Working in the Lab

NLTP Laboratory Technician Training Program Flyer (PDF)

Submit all application
materials to:
jlwillix@k-state.edu