USDA-ARS Postgraduate Fellowship in Rice Utilization and Cancer Prevention

How To Apply

• An application
• Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors 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.

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

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA-ARS-SEA-

3/27/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in‑house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting‑edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well‑being of all people;

sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.

The participant will conduct research on the anticancer properties of rice and other plant‑derived bioactive compounds. The project integrates analytical chemistry, natural products isolation, and cell‑based bioassays to identify and characterize compounds that inhibit breast cancer cell growth and reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

• Assess cytotoxicity and anticancer potential of plant extracts and purified compounds derived from rice, soybean, and sugarcane using breast cancer cell lines.
• Evaluate the ability of extracts and isolated bioactives to inhibit ROS formation and other stress‑related pathways in cell‑based models.
• Collaborate with chemists to perform bioassay‑guided fractionation to isolate, purify, and characterize active compounds.

The participant’s research will directly support efforts to identify novel phytochemicals from rice and rice by‑products. Current extracts from whole rice, rice bran, and rice hulls will be evaluated for biological activity, followed by purification and structural characterization of active components. This research also includes screening individual phytochemicals and extracts from additional plant materials to determine their anticancer and antioxidant activities.

The participant will receive extensive training in cell‑based methods relevant to evaluating anticancer properties of natural products. Collaborating as part of a multidisciplinary team, the participant will gain experience in:

• Mammalian cell culture and viability assays, including maintenance of cancer cell lines, execution of cytotoxicity assays, and quantification of growth inhibition.
• Mechanistic cell‑based assays, including measurement of oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulation, apoptosis markers, and other pathways affected by bioactive compounds.
• Analytical chemistry techniques for screening and characterizing phytochemicals, including extract preparation, chromatography, and bioassay‑guided fractionation in collaboration with chemists.
• Data analysis and interpretation, including statistical evaluation of dose–response effects, comparison of extract fractions, and integration of biological and chemical datasets.
• Scientific communication and collaboration, including preparation of manuscripts, presentation of research findings, and coordination with researchers at Tulane University’s cancer biology laboratories.

The mentor for this opportunity is Stephen…