USDA-ARS Postdoc in Spectral Imaging Early Detection of Fungal Infection and Mycotoxin Risk

Position: USDA-ARS Postdoc in Spectral Imaging for Early Detection of Fungal Infection and Mycotoxin Risk[...]
Location: New Orleans

USDA-ARS Postdoc in Spectral Imaging for Early Detection of Fungal Infection and Mycotoxin Risk in Corn

Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Food and Feed Safety Research Unit (FFSRU) at the Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Application Information

To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.

Required Documents:

• An application.
• Transcript(s) – An unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or from internal institution systems may be submitted.  for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list.
• Two educational or professional recommendations.
• All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

Job Details

Final date to receive applications: 2/13/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Appointment

Start Date:

2025/2026 (flexible)

Appointment Length: One year with possible renewal contingent on funding.

Level of Participation: Full time.

Participant Stipend: $65,000 – $70,000 annually.

Citizenship Requirements: U.S. citizen only.

Research Project

Participant will conduct research for USDA-ARS project
-025-00D entitled (Development of Aflatoxin Resistant Corn Lines Using Omic Technologies). The mission is to safeguard crops from aflatoxin contamination. The project proposes a novel approach using advanced near‑infrared (NIR) spectral imaging in greenhouse (in planta) and field experiments to capture vegetation index patterns in healthy, stressed and infected corn plants across developmental stages. Predictive models powered by deep neural networks will detect early signs of fungal infection and evaluate mitigation strategies.

The Overall Objectives Of The Project Include:

• Identify the mathematical relationship among normalized difference vegetation index, plant developmental stages and plant health.
• Develop AI models that connect NDVI, plant developmental stages, plant health and aflatoxin contamination.
• Develop and evaluate hybrids and corn lines in greenhouse and field conditions.
• Perform modeling and data analysis using coding tools and geospatial data.

Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the mentors, the participant will develop and conduct in planta experiments, generate data to incorporate into predictive models, collaborate closely with mentors to produce, document, and share research results, and establish collaborations with university and USDA-ARS scientists. The participant will also share findings with stakeholders and publish in open‑access, peer‑reviewed journals.

Learning Objectives

• Mentorship and training in plant‑fungi interactions, spectral imaging, geospatial analysis, and mycotoxin analysis.
• Hands‑on experience in experimental design, data modeling, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Training on acquisition and analysis of vegetation index data.
• Training in development and care of greenhouse/field experiments.
• Training in geospatial data analysis and modeling of biological systems.
• Training for extraction and detection of fungal/microbial contaminants, including quantitative data analysis of critical toxins from fungal infection (mycotoxins).
• Opportunity to collaborate with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees across academia, government, and industry.

Mentor(s)

• Dr. Lina Castano-Duque (Lina.
  
  Castano.
  
  Duque)
• Dr. Matthew
  
  D. Lebar (matthew.lebar)

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g., Plant Sciences, Plant Pathology, Mathematics).

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (Agriculture, Bioinformatics, Plant Sciences)
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Physics

Point of Contact

Sara Beth

ORISE Information

This program, 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), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. 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;

health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Questions

For questions about the application process, email ORISE.ARS.Southeast and include the reference code US‑ARS‑SEA‑2025‑0182.

#J-18808-Ljbffr