USDA-ARS Training Soybean Breeding and Genetics

How To Apply

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

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA-ARS-MWA-

4/10/2026 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 Urbana, Illinois.

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.

Our unit’s objectives include identifying accessions in the National Plant Germplasm System soybean genetic resource collection with nutritional and stress tolerance traits, particularly among wild soybeans, and applying innovative breeding methods to efficiently introgress exotic and wild genetic variation for yield, seed composition, and disease resistance into agronomically acceptable germplasm lines with minimal yield drag or other undesirable traits. In alignment with ARS National Program 301, we aim to leverage plant genetic diversity and genomics to develop improved germplasm and breeding tools for resilient, high‑yield crops.

This research supports the USDA Agricultural Research Service mission to deliver scientific solutions to agricultural challenges for producers, consumers, and the environment. Consistent with NP301 and NP303 objectives, we integrate trait discovery and disease management strategies to reduce crop losses and enhance sustainability.

• Apply foundational concepts in plant genetics to real soybean breeding scenarios, strengthening quantitative reasoning and critical thinking.
• Practice field‑based techniques (e.g., planting, controlled pollinations, observational data collection) to connect theory to practical breeding workflows.
• Prepare curated datasets for scientific use; develop skills in data organization and quality checks for technical reporting.
• Use bioinformatic tools for genome‑wide association and biparental mapping to identify candidate genes related to disease resistance.
• Strengthen scientific communication by summarizing results in technical reports and manuscript‑ready figures/tables.
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary research environment, enhancing team collaboration skills and professional growth under mentor guidance.

The mentor for this opportunity is Lilian Miranda (Lilian.

Miranda) and Zhanyou Xu (zhanyou.xu). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

April 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

The appointment will initially be for one year but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

The appointment is full time.

The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $53,208 – $70,000 annually, plus a health insurance supplement.