USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Secondary Metabolites and Livestock

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA-ARS-MWA-

7/3/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

The broad research goals of this opportunity involve understanding the impact that plant and fungal secondary metabolites have on grazing livestock physiology and productivity. This will involve the study of forage grasses, legumes, and hemp secondary metabolites and mycotoxins associated with these plants using in vitro and in vivo animal models. Animal tissue and cell culture models will be used to study the ability of compounds of interest to cross absorptive barriers as well as evaluate the biological activity of these compounds.

• Use basic aseptic techniques needed for surgical procedures and long‑term cell culture.
• Perform vascular isolation and preparations necessary for smooth muscle myography of ruminal and intestinal epithelial and smooth muscle tissues for absorption and contractility studies.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team focused on identifying, evaluating, and manipulating the genetic, metabolic, and physiological factors associated with grazing livestock health and productivity.
• Collaborate with university collaborators and USDA‑ARS scientists located on the University of Kentucky campus.
• Expand knowledge and expertise in experimental design, in vitro and in vivo research, data analysis, data interpretation, presenting research results, and preparing manuscripts for publication in peer‑reviewed journals.

James Klotz (james.klotz). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

2026.

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

Full time.

The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend is $74,678 annually.

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

This program is administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment‑related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.ARS.Midwest and include the reference code for this opportunity.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree received within the last 12 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences
    • Animal Sciences
    • Cellular and Molecular Biology
    • Physiology