USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Research : Computational and Experimental Approaches to Study Bovine Respiratory

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA-ARS-MWA-

11/20/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.

A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research Unit (RDIRU), located in Ames, Iowa.

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources;

and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.

The National Animal Disease Center (NADC) is a leading research facility dedicated to advancing animal health, food safety, and infectious disease research. The Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research Unit conducts research on high-impact ruminant pathogens affecting U.S. agriculture. The selected participant will join a multidisciplinary team investigating the bovine respiratory disease complex, with emphasis on bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV).

You will engage in bioinformatic and transcriptomic research to characterize viral evolution and host responses during BVDV infection. You will have access to advanced molecular, computational, and immunological tools within an ABSL-2 laboratory environment. You will be mentored in research methodologies aligned with the USDA–ARS mission in animal health and infectious disease. You will receive mentorship in scientific writing, project planning, and data presentation.

Specific research activities may include:

• Examining BVDV genetic diversity, with a focus on deletion-containing viral genomes that arise during replication
• Investigating how BVDV modulates early antiviral immune responses, including interferon signaling pathways
• Conducting wet-lab experiments and assisting in animal studies, as needed, to support project objectives
• Co-authoring peer-reviewed manuscripts
• Presenting research locally and at scientific meetings

• Understand viral evolutionary biology and mechanisms of pathogenesis
• Evaluate host-pathogen interactions, immune modulation, and ruminant immunology
• Conduct transcriptomic and other genomic analysis approaches
• Apply laboratory techniques, sample processing, and data interpretation in a research setting

The mentor for this opportunity is David Holthausen (david.holthausen).

January 2027. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

The appointment is full time.

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment‑related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in…