USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Soil Science

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Reference Code

USDA-ARS-PWA-2026-0342

How To Apply

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

A Complete Application Consists Of

• 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. 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.

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Application Deadline

10/23/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.
  
  

ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Pendleton, Oregon.

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.

Research Project: The mission of the Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center is to conduct innovative research leading to solutions that increase efficiency and productivity of cropping systems and providing tools that promote soil and agroecosystem health in the low and intermediate precipitation zones of inland Pacific Northwest. You will focus on impacts of agricultural practices on soil chemical and physical properties, biogeochemical processes that influence carbon and nitrogen dynamics and cycling. You will take plant, soil and air samples and examine biogeochemical processes that influence carbon and nitrogen dynamics and cycling in different cropping systems, and study interactions within the soil-water-plant-air continuum using process-based models. You will learn how to take proper soil, plant and air samples that influence carbon and nitrogen dynamics and learns how soil and plant managements affect crop yields, soil organic carbon and nitrogen, plant nutrients uptake and soil pH. Also, gaining experience in using process-based models or developing digital twins for the soil carbon and nitrogen models. You will be collaborating with other scientists and colleagues at or outside the USDA and universities nationally or internationally. Also, you will have opportunity to attend local and national meetings to present the data collected during training.

Learning Objectives: During the appointment, you will;

• Gain experience studying how agricultural practices influence soil health, crop productivity, and agroecosystem sustainability.
• Develop skills in collecting and analyzing soil, plant, and air samples to evaluate carbon and nitrogen cycling in cropping systems.
• Learn how biogeochemical processes affect soil chemical and physical properties, nutrient dynamics, soil organic carbon, and soil pH.
• Gain exposure to process-based modeling and digital twin approaches for soil carbon and nitrogen.
• Develop understanding of interactions within the soil–water–plant–air continuum and their impacts on agricultural productivity.
• Collaborate with scientists and researchers from USDA, universities, and other national and international research institutions.
• Build scientific communication skills through opportunities to present research findings at local and national scientific meetings.
  
  

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Hero Gollany (hero.gollany@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: October 1, 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.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE Information: 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. 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.

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

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields (e.g. soil science, biosystem engineering, biogeochemistry). Degree must have been received within the past five years, or anticipated to be received by 10/1/2026.

Participants cannot operate government vehicles (GOV). If needed, they can use personal vehicles or rent a vehicle for appointment-related activities.

Preferred Skills

• Related degrees may include environmental science, data science and data management, with experience in statistical analysis and process-based modelling.
• A person with training in database development and management, as well as experience and interest in modeling soil carbon cycling, plant nutrients, or agricultural systems, and ability to publish results.
• Knowledge of soil chemistry, soil physics, soil biology and agroecosystem health are desirable.
• Ability to research across disciplines and excellent communication skills.
  
  

Stipend

$95,000.00 – $106,334.00 Yearly

Point of Contact

Janeen

Eligibility Requirements">7 )

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 10/1/2026 12:00:00 AM.
• Discipline(s):
• Chemistry and Materials Sciences ( Show more