USDA-ARS Dietary Fiber and Precision Nutrition Fellowship

USDA-ARS Dietary Fiber and Precision Nutrition Fellowship

Join to apply for the USDA-ARS Dietary Fiber and Precision Nutrition Fellowship role at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
.

Be among the first 25 applicants.

How to Apply

To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY
.

• An application
• Transcript(s) – an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records.  for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendations
• A copy of an abstract or reprint of an article

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Reference Code

USDA-ARS-HQ-

Final date to receive applications

2/27/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is USDA’s chief scientific in-house research agency, focused on finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day. This fellowship is part of the Methods and Applications of Food Composition Laboratory effort to improve the speed, accuracy, and/or sensitivity of methods for measuring nutrients in foods Americans eat. The project aims to reduce the cost of dietary fiber analysis by developing a simplified, AOAC‑adopted method for soluble dietary fiber determination.

Responsibilities

• Generate an instrumental method for soluble dietary fiber analysis and produce exemplar data sufficient to initiate an interlaboratory study required for AOAC and AACC approval.
• Perform sample preparation of beans, cereal grains, ancient grains, pseudocereals, and novel carbohydrate foods using AOAC 2022.01 biomimetic digestion.
• Isolate insoluble dietary fiber, remove protein and mineral components, and prepare samples for size‑exclusion chromatography.
• Analyze data by RI detection and universal mass calibration, quantify soluble dietary fiber, and publish results in an AOAC or AACC journal.
• Apply statistical methods to evaluate assay variability in nutrition science.

Learning Objectives

• Master enzymatic, chromatographic, and related methods for dietary fiber analysis.
• Validate analytical methods, including assessment of analytical figures of merit, robustness, and detection limits.
• Apply statistical methods used to evaluate assay variability in nutrition science.

Mentor

Michael Bukowski (michael.bukowski)

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

As soon as possible, or February 6, 2026.

Appointment Length

Initially one year, with possible renewal contingent on funding availability.

Level of Participation

Full time.

Participant Stipend

The stipend range is $7,500–$8,000 monthly.

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, is an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. Participants are not employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator and are not entitled to employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required; health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields within the past five years.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or related fields
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (Analytical Chemistry, Bio‑inorganic Chemistry, Bio‑organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Chemistry (General), Environmental Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry)
  • Veteran Status:
    Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 months

Questions

Please visit our program website or email ORISE.ARS.HQPostdoc with the reference code for this opportunity.

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