USDA ARS Machine Learning Fellow

Join to apply for the USDA ARS Machine Learning Fellow role at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

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

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA-ARS-SEA-

1/30/2026 7:47:40 AM 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 Stuttgart, Arkansas.

The mission of the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center is to improve the competitiveness of the U.S. rice industry in global and domestic markets through research and technology development that assure high yields, value-added grain quality, pest resistance and stress tolerance. The participant will be involved in a team investigation of rice genes that are involved in resisting plant pathogens including Magnaporthe oryzae and stresses caused by extreme temperatures, weeds, and herbicides.

The participant will learn skills in the Protein Function and Phenotype Prediction SCINet group. They will learn to develop and deploy AI-based protein structure prediction tools that are available to the SCINet community of researchers via high-performance computing. They will also gain experience in generating fungal pan-genome resources including the evaluation of disease resistance, yield, protein, grain element, plant and microbe DNA, RNA purification and DNA sequencing analysis using next gen DNA sequencing, gene expression using RNA seq or real time PCR.

Open sources of bioinformatic tools including the use of Alpha Fold and databases will be used for functional characterization. This opportunity will enable the participant develop skills needed for investigating host-pathogen interactions and improving plant health using machine learning and artificial intelligence.

The mentor for this opportunity is Yulin Jia (yulin.jia). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

• Anticipated Appointment
  
  Start Date:
  
  Winter 2025/2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
• Appointment Length:
  The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.
• Level of Participation:
  The appointment is full time.

The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $65,000 - $75,000 annually.

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

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, 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 in this program.

Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.ARS.Southeast and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received…