USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Turfgrass Agronomy and Genetics

Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Reference Code: USDA-ARS-PWA-

Final date to receive applications: 8/28/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description: Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.

ARS Office/Lab and

Location:

A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Maricopa, Arizona.

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.

Research Project: You will receive mentorship and training in turfgrass agronomy, physiology, and genetics with a focus on improving drought, heat, and salinity tolerance in different turfgrass species and understanding how turfgrass quality attributes contribute to ecosystem services. As part of the turfgrass breeding and agronomy team, you will learn how to plan and conduct growth chamber, greenhouse, and field experiments under the guidance of your mentor.

You will gain hands‑on experience in designing and implementing field trials, establishing experimental plantings, applying environmental stress treatments, and collecting and analyzing both visual and proximal‑sensing data. Through work with diverse turfgrass germplasm, you will learn methods for evaluating adaptation, color, quality traits, and environmental stress tolerance that support the development of improved turfgrass cultivars.

You will also receive training in statistical analysis, interpretation of experimental results, and preparation of scientific findings for publication in peer‑reviewed journals. Throughout the project, you will develop experience working in multidisciplinary agricultural research focused on sustainable turfgrass management and environmental resilience.

Learning Objectives Through mentorship and applied research training, you will gain experience conducting field, greenhouse, and controlled‑environment studies, including experimental design, data collection, data management, and statistical analysis. You will learn how to use and maintain specialized equipment for measuring gas exchange and collecting image‑based and spectral data used to evaluate plant performance and stress responses.

You will also develop knowledge of turfgrass management practices and how they influence visual quality, sustainability, and ecosystem services. Additional learning opportunities will include understanding the biological and physiological mechanisms underlying water and nitrogen use efficiency, plant responses to environmental stress, and approaches for screening and improving turfgrass germplasm for resilience under challenging environmental conditions.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Desalegn Serba (des.serba). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment

Start Date:

2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

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

Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE Information: 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.…