What are the responsibilities and job description for the USDA-ARS Perennial Ryegrass Abiotic Stress Genetics Postdoctoral Fellowship position at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)?
*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), in Corvallis, 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: You will assist in research into the genetics of heat and drought tolerance in perennial ryegrass in field and lab settings under the guidance of a mentor at the Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit in Corvallis, OR. In the field, you will help collect and analyze trait measurements related to plant development, plant physiology, and seed yield under different irrigation regimes in two locations with different weather patterns. You will also aid in conducting a Genome Wide Association Study to identify genetic variants associated with these traits. In the lab, you will help evaluate root growth under heat and drought conditions and develop mapping populations to identify genes contributing to specific growth patterns.
Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will develop skills or learn about:
- Research strategies unique to obligate outcrossing grass species
- Measuring traits associated with plant development, physiology, and seed yield
- Genetics and genomics approaches to marker-trait associations
- Effective scientific communication and collaboration
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Joseph Gallagher (joseph.gallagher@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Fall 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.
Salary : $6,929