Postdoctoral Fellowship in Plant Pathology​/Crop Biodefense

A research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Unit (FDWSRU), located on the Fort Detrick U.S. Army installation in Frederick, Maryland.

The FDWSRU is one of the nation’s few high-containment laboratories equipped to safely manage exotic plant pathogens. Our lab group at the FDWSRU focuses on creating resources and knowledge about foreign fungal and oomycete pathogens using comparative genomics, development of diagnostic tools, and transcriptomics/host range studies within BSL-3 facilities.

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow for a research project targeting Claviceps gigantea, a foreign fungal pathogen representing a high-consequence, low-visibility threat to U.S. corn. This pathogen severely damages corn and produces toxic ergot alkaloids, yet the U.S. faces a critical preparedness deficit. This is primarily due to a profound lack of foundational molecular and biological resources, including viable cultures, genomic data, and validated diagnostic tools.

The successful candidate will conduct research to close these gaps. Key activities involve developing novel methods for long‑term biological material storage, investigating the pathogen's challenging culturability, generating and analyzing its first genome data, and identifying candidate molecular diagnostic targets. This fellowship offers unique opportunities for high‑impact science instrumental for national preparedness, including collaboration with interagency partners and contributions to broader lab projects on emerging foreign plant pathogens.

Preferred skills:

• Demonstrated hands‑on experience in molecular biology techniques.
• Strong understanding and practical experience with bioinformatics tools for genomic analysis, including de novo assembly and comparative genomics.
• Proven experience or a strong willingness and ability to quickly adapt to researching safely and effectively in BSL‑2 and/or high‑containment (BSL‑3 or equivalent) laboratory/greenhouse environments.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a proven track record of contributing to scientific publications and presentations.
• Ability to research both independently and collaboratively as part of a diverse research team.
• Experience with Claviceps species, other sclerotia‑forming fungi, or pathogens that are difficult to culture.
• Experience managing and archiving biological samples.
• Experience with long‑read sequencing technologies (e.g., Oxford Nanopore).

Anticipated Appointment

Start Date:

September 1, 2026.

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.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend is $84,601 annually.

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

For more information or to submit an application for this position, please go to
:

For other inquiries about the opportunity, contact Jo Anne Crouch (joanne.crouch)