USDA-ARS Postdoctoral – Fungal Population Dynamics & Mycotoxin Ecology in Corn

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA-ARS-MWA-

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

6/4/2027 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), Peoria, Illinois.

You will join a multidisciplinary team’s project at the intersection of plant pathology, microbiology, molecular biology, and computational biology. The research focuses on understanding the population dynamics of fungal communities throughout the growing season and how these dynamics influence mycotoxin contamination in corn.

• Characterizing fungal population structure and succession across key phenological stages of corn.
• Applying molecular and microbiome sequencing approaches (ITS/TEF amplicon sequencing, qPCR, metagenomics) to track fungal communities.
• Conducting mycotoxin quantification to link fungal ecology with toxin outcomes.
• Conducting field and greenhouse experiments to identify and evaluate the effects of factors that influence mycotoxin risk.
• Integrating computational and statistical tools to model fungal population shifts and identify environmental or biological drivers of mycotoxin risk.
• Collaborating with plant pathologists, microbiologists, chemists, and data scientists to develop predictive insights that support improved food and feed safety.

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will learn to: (a) utilize field and laboratory methods in plant pathology and fungal ecology; (b) perform microbiome analysis, bioinformatics, and computational modeling; (c) conduct rapid mycotoxin analysis; (d) prepare scientific communication and manuscripts; (e) design field and laboratory experiments that integrate agronomic, microbiome, and ecological datasets.

Joseph Opoku (joseph.opoku).

Start Date:

September 2026 (flexible). Length:
One year, renewable subject to funding.

Level of Participation:
Full time.

Stipend: $6,000 – $6,430 monthly.

U.S. citizen only.

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; health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

For application questions, email ORISE.ARS.Midwest and include the reference code.

The candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Ecology, Computational Biology, or a related field.

• Experience with fungal biology, microbiome sequencing, or mycotoxin analysis.
• Quantitative or computational skills.
• Written and oral communication skills.

• Citizenship: U.S. citizen only.
• Degree:
  Doctoral degree.
• Discipline(s) – Chemistry and Materials Sciences disciplines:
  Analytical Chemistry, Bio-inorganic Chemistry, Bio-organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Chemistry (General), Environmental Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Sciences, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry.
• Computer, Information, and Data Sciences disciplines.
• Life Health and Medical Sciences disciplines.