USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sugarcane Integrated Pest Management

USDA‑ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sugarcane Pest Management is a full‑time, one‑year research appointment located at the Sugarcane Research Unit (SRU) in Houma, Louisiana. The appointment will start as soon as possible and may be renewed upon recommendation, contingent on funding. The stipend is $73,939 per year.

• Evaluate sugarcane varieties for insect pest resistance, with emphasis on Lepidopteran stem borers.
• Conduct independent research in field, laboratory, and greenhouse settings and participate in multidisciplinary, multi‑institutional team efforts.
• Analyze how insect pests and natural enemies interact with different plant traits to inform resistance levels, crop yield impacts, and agronomic practice interactions.
• Collaborate on related research, including eDNA detection methods and mapping populations across the region.
• Prepare and submit peer‑reviewed publications and present findings at scientific and stakeholder meetings.

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field received within the past five years.
• Experience in both laboratory and field settings and scientific writing.
• Knowledge of statistical analyses in R, JMP, ARM, or SAS.
• Knowledge of laboratory methods and equipment such as pipettes, stereo microscopes, centrifuges, electronic balances, and hot plates.
• Experience with DNA extraction and amplification or GIS for related research.

To apply , scroll to the bottom of the opportunity page and click APPLY
. Submit an application, an unofficial transcript, a current resume/CV, two educational or professional recommendations, and an abstract or reprint of an article. All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

2/13/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone (rolling basis).

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Sugarcane Research Unit, Schriever, Louisiana.

Dr. Hannah J. Penn (hannah.penn).

U.S. citizen only.

$73,939 per year.