USDA- ARS Postdoctoral Barley and Oat Fellowship

USDA-ARs Postdoctoral Barley and Oat Fellowship

USDA‑ARS Postdoctoral Barley and Oat Fellowship – Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) through the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Aberdeen, Idaho.

Researchers are invited to advance barley and oat productivity, quality, and stress resistance using genomic and molecular methods. The appointment is full‑time, initially one year with potential renewal, and commences in June 2026. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold or be actively pursuing a doctoral degree in a relevant field.

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

• Completed application form
• Unofficial transcript or copy of academic records (see accepted formats)
• Current résumé/CV, including academic and employment history, publications, and relevant experience
• Two educational or professional recommendations
• Copy of an abstract or reprint of an article

Submit your application by 2/13/2026 3:00 PM Eastern Time
.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

USDA‑ARS‑PWA‑2025‑0183

The fellowship supports the USDA‑ARS barley and oat project in Aberdeen aimed at enhancing productivity, quality, and stress resistance through traditional, molecular, and genomic methods.

Responsibilities include:

• Evaluate barley stripe rust (BSR) resistance and identify genomic regions associated with BSR.
• Develop genetic populations and map genes related to barley grain quality and Hessian fly resistance.
• Conduct genetic and genomic analyses to identify QTL associated with drought tolerance, crown rust resistance, and other key oat traits.
• Participate in data collection and genetic analysis of FHB resistance.
• Write manuscripts and present research at scientific conferences.

Receive training in plant genomics, genetics, and breeding; collaborate with national scientists; present at conferences; and develop professional networks.

Dongying Gao (dongying.gao) and Kathy Esvelt Klos (kathy.klos).

Annual stipend: $76,403 – $83,795, commensurate with educational level and experience.

U.S. citizens only.

The program is administered by ORAU under agreement with DOE and ARS. Participants are not USDA, ARS, DOE, or ORISE employees and receive no employment‑related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required.

Visit the Program Website. For additional questions, email ORISE.ARS.Pacific West and include the reference code.

Doctoral degree in Plant Genetics, Agronomy, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Biology, or a related discipline.

• Experience with high‑throughput data sets, short‑ and long‑read genomic and transcriptomic data, marker development, linkage mapping, DNA/RNA extraction, field research, and bioinformatics pipelines.
• Ability to develop or apply software for data mining.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree
• Discipline(s):
  Chemistry and Materials Sciences;
  Computer, Information, and Data Sciences;
  Life Health and Medical Sciences

Postdoctoral Fellow

Full‑time

Research, Analyst, and Information Technology