USDA-ARS Postdoc Fellowship to Study Flood-Induced Insect Resistance in Cereals

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Gainesville, Florida, is offering a postdoctoral fellowship to investigate the mechanisms underlying flood‑induced insect resistance in cereals such as maize, rice, sorghum, wheat, oats, and rye.

A Postdoctoral fellowship is available to help investigate the mechanisms underlying flood‑induced insect resistance in cereals such as maize, rice, sorghum, wheat, oats and rye. The candidate will perform greenhouse‑based plant‑insect bioassays on cereals involving flooding and infestation with fall armyworm, analyze plant metabolites using liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry, and isolate and characterize mutants in maize, rice and sorghum to explore the mechanisms underlying flood‑induced resistance.

The participant will expand their skills in plant metabolite analysis, plant genetics, and plant stress biology. They will also receive mentoring in writing peer‑reviewed journal articles, and research project design and management, with the goal of developing skills required to become a principal investigator.

The mentor for this opportunity is Anna Block (anna.block). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

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

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

The appointment is full time.

The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend is $6,162.00 monthly.

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years or is pursuing and anticipated to receive by 10/1/2026.

• Experience with plant molecular biology, analytical chemistry, plant‑insect interactions, plant genetics, plant‑abiotic stress biology, plant genetics, metabolite profiling by liquid‑chromatography mass spectrometry (LC‑MS), and gene expression analysis (RNAseq) and multiomics

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 2/1/2026 11:59:00 PM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences
    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Chemistry (General)
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences
• Veteran Status:
  Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 months.

Sara Beth