USDA-ARS Research in Phytochemical Metabolomics and Nutritional Health
About the role
The participant will engage in a multi-faceted research initiative exploring the relationship between health-promoting bioactive components (such as resistant starch, micro-nutrients, phytochemicals) and their biological impacts. This project focuses on how variables like growing conditions and processing affect these components in foods like coffee, fruits, vegetables, and beans, and further investigates their bioavailability and interaction with the gut microbiome.
Responsibilities
- Participate in ongoing research projects addressing the contents of bioactive components in various food matrices and their subsequent physiological impact on health.
- Research and Analyze samples (food and biological matrices such as blood or feces) using non-targeted and targeted metabolomic methodologies via LC/MS and GC/MS techniques.
- Collaborate with bioinformatics scientists to identify biomarkers and metabolic mechanisms impacted by dietary consumption.
- Refine and Optimize high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry methods to enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of phytochemical metabolite identification.
- Utilize Bioinformatics Tools to identify key metabolites involved in plant biosynthetic pathways and host metabolism.
- Contribute to a multi-omics analytical approach—integrating transcriptomics, metagenomics, and metabolomics—to elucidate the impact of diet on immune responses and gut microbiome health.
- Collaborate with a team of experimental biologists, nutritionists, and computational scientists to apply a holistic approach to study design and the interpretation of biological data.
Requirements
The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.
Preferred skills:
- Experience with analytical chemistry and metabolomic analysis is preferred.
Qualifications
The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!
Skills
The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!
Benefits
The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend is $7,120.58 monthly, with a health insurance per month of $1,472.96 and relocation limited to $5,000.
Pay
The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend is $7,120.58 monthly, with a health insurance per month of $1,472.96 and relocation limited to $5,000.
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.