A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcripts – Click here 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.

If you have questions, send an email to USDA-ARS@orau.org.  Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

A microbiology postdoctoral research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Animal Disease Center (NADC), Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit (FSEPRU) located in Ames, Iowa.

The selected participant will be conducting research to identify novel mechanisms in the interactions of the human foodborne pathogen Salmonella with the host (swine and poultry) and the host microbiota to develop targeted interventions. This research program involves multiple projects focusing on the identification of alternatives to antibiotics in food animals (such as vaccines, biotherapeutics, feed additives, etc.) as well as the investigation of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella serovars. 

The selected participant will collaborate with a team of microbiologists, immunologists, bioinformaticians, and veterinarians to achieve the learning objectives: investigate host-microbe interactions for the discovery of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and antibiotic alternatives that will benefit animal health and food safety. 

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: now until June 1, 2021

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 (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The annual stipend rate will be $62,236 and a supplement of up to $5,679 for an individual plan ($16,043 for a family plan) will be provided to cover the cost of an individual or family health insurance plan. Relocation expenses in the amount of $500 will be reimbursed, with prior approval. An annual allowance of $3,000 will be available to reimburse travel-related expenses to science and professional development activities. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at ARS in the Ames, Iowa, area. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

The participant does not become an employee of ARS or ORISE. However, this opportunity requires a pre-employment check and a full background investigation.

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals.  Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

This is an equal opportunity program open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or covered veteran’s status.

For more information about the ARS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or are currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by the start date of the appointment. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Knowledge, skills, and experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred: animal models of infectious disease (particularly swine and turkeys), bacteriology, in vitro cell culture experiments, immunological assays (e.g. ELISA, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry), and molecular biology techniques (e.g. DNA and RNA isolation, PCR, qRT-PCR, RNAseq). 

• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (7 )