What are the responsibilities and job description for the USDA-ARS Cacao Breeding and Genomics Fellowship position at Zintellect?
*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.
ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity focused on Cacao Breeding and Genomics is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), at the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station (SHRS) situated in Miami, Florida.
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: This appointment is supported by the USDA-ARS, SHRS, and Miami location, with the primary objectives being the development of high-yielding cacao and other crop cultivars characterized by superior quality attributes and resistance to diseases and pests, as well as a tolerance to environmental stresses. This will be achieved through a combination of traditional breeding methods, molecular techniques, and genomic approaches. The selected fellow will join our team under the guidance of the Research Leader/Supervisory Plant Pathologist, engaging in all aspects of breeding, genomics, and bioinformatics efforts for cacao improvement. Collaboration with other scientists from universities and research institutions focused on cacao genomics and molecular-assisted breeding methodologies will be a critical and rewarding component of the fellowship.
Learning Objectives: As part of the fellowship, the selected candidate will gain hands-on experience and develop expertise in key areas of plant breeding and genomics. The fellow will learn how to develop breeding populations for cacao and other fruit tree species, including the process of screening cacao germplasm accessions and breeding populations for resistance to biotic stresses (such as pests and diseases) and abiotic stresses (such as drought or temperature extremes) using advanced genomic tools. Additionally, the fellow will explore how these techniques can be applied to other critical germplasm crops, addressing urgent challenges in plant genomics and breeding at the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station (SHRS).
The fellowship will provide training in cutting-edge laboratory techniques, including Sanger sequencing and Next Generation Sequencing, emphasizing precision and accuracy in data generation. The fellow will also learn to analyze sequencing data using statistical methods and bioinformatics tools, ensuring high-quality research outcomes. Furthermore, the fellow will develop skills in interpreting research findings, preparing scientific manuscripts for publication, and presenting results at professional scientific conferences. Through this immersive experience, the fellow will gain a comprehensive understanding of plant genomics and breeding, contributing to advancements in crop resilience and productivity.
As a mentor, Sukhwinder will provide guidance and support throughout the research, helping participants to develop their skills and knowledge in cacao genomics and breeding.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Sukhwinder Singh (Sukhwinder.singh@usda.gov). For inquiries regarding the nature of the research or the role of the mentor, please reach out to Sukhwinder directly.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 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.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The current stipend range for this opportunity is between $63,867 and $90,000 annually.
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.Southeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Salary : $63,867 - $90,000