USDA ARS Food Safety Microbiology Postdoctoral Fellowship

USDA ARS Food Safety Microbiology Postdoctoral Fellowship

Join to apply for the USDA ARS Food Safety Microbiology Postdoctoral Fellowship role at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

How to Apply

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

Application Requirements

• An application
• Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records may be submitted.  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

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Reference Code

USDA-ARS-NEA-

Final date to receive applications

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

Description

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

ARSL Office/Lab and Location

Beltsville, Maryland. 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.

Mission

Improve food safety and reduce foodborne illness by examining routes of contamination of fruits and vegetables with bacterial pathogens.

Research Project

The research project focuses on critical points of bacterial contamination, specifically colonization of dairy animals and contamination of dry dairy processing facilities. The participant will investigate pathogen dynamics in dry dairy products within an integrated food safety systems framework, targeting high‑risk bacterial pathogens:
Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli (STECs/O157:

H7), and Listeria monocytogenes. The participant will be involved in laboratory studies, field investigations, and data analysis using digital PCR, multiplex PCR, automated nucleic acid extraction, and metagenomics. Additionally, the participant may help design and validate biological control interventions to reduce pathogenic bacterial loads.

Learning Objectives

• Bacterial Hazard Characterization and Quantification:
  Learn advanced molecular and non‑destructive sensing methods to identify, quantify, and track the prevalence and spatial dissemination of pathogenic enteric bacteria.
• Persistence Modeling and Risk Assessment:
  Develop complex ecological and kinetic models incorporating environmental, microbial community, and survival data.
• Intervention Strategy Development and Optimization:
  Utilize advanced data analysis tools, including bioinformatics, to design and validate effective mitigation strategies.

Mentors

Manan Sharma (manan.sharma) and Bradd Haley (bradd.haley).

Start Date

2025/2026 (flexible).

Appointment Length

One year, renewable upon recommendation and availability of funds.

Full‑time / Compensation

Monthly stipend between $6,277 and $6,897.

Citizenship Requirement

U.S. citizens only.

ORISE Information

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with DOE to manage ORISE, requires proof of health insurance. Participants are not employees of USDA, ARS, DOE, or the program administrator.

Contact

Questions? Please email ORISE.ARS.Northeast including the reference code.

Qualifications

Doctoral degree in a relevant field received within the past five years.

Preferred Skills

• Basic food or environmental microbiology skills (culturing, PCR, water filtration).
• Ability to collaborate in a team research environment.
• Data organization and statistical analysis skills.
• Public speaking and presentation skills.
• Molecular biology skills for microbial community characterization.
• Bioinformatics and genomic analysis skills.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizen: U.S. Citizen only.
• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life, Health and Medical Sciences
  • Agriculture
  • Bioinformatics
  • Biology (General)
  • Food Sciences and Technology
  • Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses
  • Microbiology
• Veteran Status:
  Veterans Preference, degree received within last 120 months.

Point of Contact

Janeen

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