What are the responsibilities and job description for the USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Analytical Chemistry position at Zintellect?
*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 New Orleans, Louisiana.
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 participant will engage in research utilizing advanced analytical chemistry techniques to investigate off-flavor compounds in water and food systems. With mentor guidance, they will develop optimized sample preparation workflows and instrumental quantification methods to enhance analytical capabilities within the Food Processing and Sensory Quality (FPSQ) Research Unit. Training will include solid-phase microextraction (SPME and SPME Arrow) techniques, GC-MS method development, calibration strategies, and data analysis for semi-volatile compounds.
The participant will contribute to a collaborative research program focused on understanding the dynamics of off-flavors in salmonid aquaculture and related food matrices. Results generated through this project will be communicated to the scientific community through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications
Learning Objectives: This experience will provide hands-on learning in multidisciplinary team environments and exposure to real-world research challenges in food quality and chemistry. The participant will develop technical competencies in advanced sample-preparation workflows, SPME/Arrow extraction, GC–MS quantification, calibration modeling, and data analysis for semi-volatile compounds.
Learning objectives include:
- Mastering method development and validation principles (LOD/LOQ, accuracy, precision, matrix effects).
- Troubleshooting analytical instrumentation and optimizing extraction efficiency for complex food and water matrices.
- Interpreting chromatographic and mass-spectral data, including chemometric approaches for quantifying off-flavor compounds.
- Understanding biological and environmental drivers of off-flavor formation in aquaculture systems.
- Developing scientific communication skills through presentations and manuscript preparation.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Brennan Smith (brennan.smith@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 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 anticipated stipend is $70,000 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 : $70,000