USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Livestock Waste Treatment, Wastewater Re-use, and Byproduct

USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Livestock Waste Treatment, Wastewater Re-use, and Byproduct Utilization in Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Florence, South Carolina, United States

Position Title:

USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Livestock Waste Treatment, Wastewater Re-use, and Byproduct Utilization in Agriculture

Position Type:
Research Fellow

Final date to receive applications:
Friday, March 13, 2026

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

Department/Division:
Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

Field (e.g., systematics):
Waste Treatment

City:
Florence, South Carolina, United States

General Information:
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 Florence, South Carolina, at the Coastal Plains Soil, Water, and Plant Research Center.

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:
The mission of the Coastal Plains Soil, Water, and Plant Research Center in Florence, SC is to conduct research and transfer solutions that improve agricultural production, protect the environment, and enhance the conservation of natural resources - all within an efficient and profitable agriculture. The participant will be part of research team tasked to develop improved and new technologies for livestock waste treatment and the utilization of manure byproducts.

The participant will collect and analyze data on system performance, nutrient recovery/removal efficiency, treatment economics, and environmental impacts across multiple operational scales.

Learning Objectives:
The participant will gain hands‑on experience and acquire knowledge in engineering solutions for nutrient recovery and/or removal from manure and animal wastewater, as well as circular‑economy technologies that transform waste into valuable resources. This will be achieved through learning about the design and optimization of physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will learn and deepen their understanding in the following areas:

• Innovative biological, chemical, and physical treatment technologies to produce value‑added products from animal waste.
• Manure treatment systems that mitigate odors and pathogens while improving animal health and reducing mortality rates.
• Advanced methods and strategies for recovering phosphorus and ammonia from wastewater and solid manure streams.
• Cutting‑edge technologies for enhanced biological wastewater treatment, including nitrification and anammox pathways, to support water reuse in integrated animal‑crop systems.
• Effective and safe applications of agricultural‑industrial byproducts to create new revenue opportunities for producers.

Mentor(s):
The mentor for this opportunity is Todd Campbell (todd.campbell). 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. The anticipated stipend range is $6,000 - $6,500 monthly.

Citizenship Requirements:
This opportunity is available to…