USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Influenza Virology, Pathobiology, and Vaccinology

Reference Code: USDA-ARS-SEA-2026-0385

About the role

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in‑house research agency, dedicated to solving agricultural problems that affect Americans from field to table. This opportunity is located in Athens, Georgia, within the Exotic and Emerging Avian Viral Diseases unit of the USDA‑ARS, US National Poultry Research Center. The unit’s primary focus is the vaccinology, pathobiology, transmission dynamics, and diagnostics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in poultry and livestock. As part of the team, you will evaluate the efficacy of commercial and experimental HPAI vaccines, study the potential of field viruses to infect and spread among vaccinated animals, develop DIVA (Differentiation of Infected from Vaccinated Animals) strategies, examine immune correlates of protection, and analyze antigenic relationships between vaccine and field strains. The appointment is initially for one year, renewable upon recommendation and contingent on funding, with a flexible start date in 2026. Mentorship will be provided by Chang Lee (chang.lee@usda.gov). Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE, or the program administrator, and proof of health insurance is required (coverage can be obtained through ORISE).

Responsibilities

• Learn about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry and livestock, including its transmission, disease impacts, and role in current outbreak‑response efforts.
• Gain experience supporting the evaluation and development of commercial and experimental HPAI vaccines.
• Learn how vaccine efficacy is assessed, including measuring protection against infection, disease, and virus transmission in vaccinated animals.
• Develop familiarity with studies that evaluate whether circulating field viruses can infect or spread among vaccinated poultry or livestock.
• Gain knowledge of DIVA strategies—Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals—and their importance for vaccination‑based disease‑control programs.
• Learn how diagnostic approaches can distinguish vaccine‑induced immune responses from evidence of field‑virus infection.
• Develop an understanding of immune correlates of protection, including how immune responses are associated with successful vaccination outcomes.
• Gain experience examining antigenic relationships between vaccine strains and field strains to inform vaccine selection and effectiveness.
• Build collaborative research skills within a multidisciplinary team focused on avian‑influenza vaccinology, pathobiology, diagnostics, and transmission dynamics.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Proof of health insurance (coverage can be obtained through ORISE)

Qualifications

Doctoral degree in a relevant field (e.g., Agricultural Sciences, Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Veterinary Sciences, or other Life Health and Medical Sciences disciplines).

Benefits

• Health insurance available through ORISE (proof required)

Pay

$64,625.00 – $86,007.00 yearly stipend

Schedule

Full‑time appointment