USDA-ARS Research Fellowship in Plant-Microbe Interactions

About the role

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking a research fellow to contribute to a collaborative project focusing on nitrogen cycling in maize. The fellowship is part of the Circular Economy That Reimagines Corn Agriculture (CERCA) project, aiming to enhance productivity and sustainability of US grain farmland.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop novel sources of biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) capacity in maize
• Evaluate the contribution of plant chemistry and root and rhizosphere traits to agroecosystem nitrogen use efficiency, nitrogen retention, and nitrous oxide fluxes
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of government, university, and industry scientists
• Develop and pursue individual and team research questions from design to manuscript preparation
• Gain and improve skills in molecular microbial ecology

Requirements

• Currently pursuing or having received a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in microbial ecology, soil biogeochemistry, plant-microbe interactions, or a related field
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and evidence of successful publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Experience with nitrogen cycling microbial communities, handling of bacterial cultures, and molecular microbial ecology preferred

Qualifications

• Minimum overall GPA of 3.00
• U.S. citizenship only
• Relevant degrees in Environmental and Marine Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, or a related field

Skills

• Advanced concepts in plant-soil interactions, particularly nitrogen cycling in the rhizosphere and detritosphere of maize
• Characterization and evaluation of plant traits influencing nitrogen use efficiency, nitrogen retention, and nitrous oxide fluxes
• Development and pursuit of individual and team research questions from design to manuscript preparation
• Collaboration within an interdisciplinary team of government, university, and industry scientists

Benefits

Participants will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience, ranging from $45,777 to $75,284 annually. Proof of health insurance is required for participation.

Pay

$45,777.00 - $75,284.00 yearly

Schedule

The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2026, with a flexible start date depending on various factors.

Contact

For questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Point of Contact

Janeen