The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched operations in support of the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility, or NBAF, from offices in the K-State Office Park. The USDA's Agricultural Research Service, known as ARS, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, join 16 partner tenant companies at the K-State Office Park, all who strengthen Kansas State University by advancing the educational experience, innovating in their industry or serving as technical suppliers to the university.

USDA joins a premier group of partner tenants representing industries which support K-State’s land-grant mission such as precision agriculture, veterinary and biomedical research, and engineering. USDA is ramping up their workforce for operating the NBAF facility with a goal to hire 80% of the operational staff by August 2020. The world-class facilities available to K-State Office Park partner tenants and proximity to Kansas State University will assist in making this intensive hiring strategy possible in Manhattan, Kansas.

As part of its NBAF planning, USDA APHIS is leading the NBAF Scientist Training Program, or NSTP, to build the necessary technical and subject matter expertise to support the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at NBAF, www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/nbaf-scientist-training. This program identifies students who want to work at NBAF. As NSTP fellows, participants receive tuition and a stipend as they pursue research and academic development in laboratory-based fields of study such as microbiology, virology, diagnostics, and bioinformatics.

By occupying office space in the K-State Office Park, USDA has the capacity to host the NBAF Scientist Training Program participants in Manhattan for the first NSTP research symposium this summer. The NSTP fellows, almost half of which are Kansas State University students, will have the opportunity to train to their specific scientific objective and professionally network in person with USDA lead personnel.

Persons interested in exploring jobs related to NBAF and USDA can log onto usajobs.gov. USDA will be hiring for roles encompassing scientific research, facility management, administrative, veterinary processes and animal care, engineering, information technology, safety, and health and environmental systems.

As Kansas State University's strategic partner for philanthropy, the KSU Foundation inspires and guides philanthropy toward university priorities to boldly advance K-State family. The foundation is leading Innovation and Inspiration: The Campaign for Kansas State University to raise $1.4 billion for student success, faculty development, facility enhancement and programmatic success. 

See original release by the KSU Foundation here.