USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship - PFAS Alternatives

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA-ARS-MWA-

7/17/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in‑house research agency. The Bio‑Oils Research Unit (BOR) at the USDA’s National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Illinois, focuses on developing bio‑based products and technologies from plant oils that are competitive with petroleum‑derived equivalents. The unit’s mission is to increase agricultural utilization of vegetable oils, enhance rural economies and strengthen American agriculture.

Per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of nonrenewable synthetic compounds that have high stability and persist in the environment. They occur widely in agricultural fields, crops, water supplies, and ecosystems, and are linked to adverse health outcomes. The fellow will work to develop new bio‑based, nontoxic, biodegradable PFAS replacements from agricultural materials for food packaging and surfactant applications.

The work will involve interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement to maximize impact.

• Review existing literature to identify gaps.
• Conduct research on development of agriculturally‑derived replacements for PFAS.
• Collaborate with other scientists to accomplish research objectives.
• Contribute to the development of new research ideas and hypotheses.
• Develop and/or expand skills in synthesis, polymerization, characterization, product testing, and interpretation of research findings.
• Publish research results in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Present research results at scientific conferences.

• Understand the chemistry, environmental behavior and toxicological impacts of PFAS.
• Design and synthesize bio‑based, nontoxic, biodegradable alternatives to PFAS derived from agricultural materials.
• Apply principles of materials science, organic chemistry and polymer chemistry to develop functional replacements for food packaging, surfactant, and related applications.
• Characterize material performance, stability, degradability, and safety using advanced analytical and engineering methods.
• Integrate sustainability considerations into material development.
• Collaborate across disciplines and engage stakeholders to ensure research relevance, scalability and real‑world impact.
• Translate scientific innovation into practical solutions that improve public and ecological health.

Dr. Bryan Moser (Bryan.

Moser)

• Anticipated appointment start date:
  July 2026 (flexible).
• Appointment length:
  Initially one year, may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and contingent on availability of funds.
• Level of participation:
  Full time.
• Participant stipend: $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; it can be obtained through ORISE.

The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a doctoral degree in chemistry, materials science, or engineering. Degree must have been received within the past five years or be anticipated to be received by 8/1/2026.

• Familiar with design, synthesis and evaluation of new products and materials for industrial applications.
• Synthesis techniques (small molecule and polymerization).
• Chromatographic (e.g., HPLC and GPC) and spectroscopic characterization (FTIR, NMR).
• Viscoelastic properties (dynamic mechanical analysis).
• Mechanical properties (tensile testing).
• Thermal properties (thermogravimetric analysis).
• Coatings properties (hardness, contact angle).
• Tensiometric properties (surface tension, interfacial tension, surface energy, CMC, dynamic contact angle).

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen only.
• Degree:
  Doctoral degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated by 8/1/2026.
• Discipline(s):
  Chemistry and Materials Sciences;
  Engineering.

Sara Beth