Corn Fungal Dynamics & Mycotoxin Ecology Research Fellow

Zintellect; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 54,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, located at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR) in Peoria, Illinois, offers a multi-year research opportunity focused on mycotoxin risk in corn. The appointment is full-time, with a monthly stipend and US citizenship required.

Start date targeted for 2026, pending funding. Participate in field and laboratory work, learn microbiome sequencing, computational modeling, and communicate

Responsibilities

• Characterize population structure and succession of fungal communities across key phenological stages of corn.
• Apply molecular and microbiome sequencing approaches (ITS/TEF amplicon sequencing, qPCR, metagenomics) to track fungal communities.
• Quantify mycotoxins and link fungal ecology to toxin outcomes.
• Conduct field and greenhouse experiments to evaluate factors influencing mycotoxin risk.
• Integrate computational and statistical tools to model fungal population shifts and drivers of mycotoxin risk.
• Collaborate with plant pathologists, microbiologists and data scientists to develop predictive insights for food and feed safety.

Job description

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, located at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR) in Peoria, Illinois, offers a multi-year research opportunity focused on mycotoxin risk in corn. The appointment is full-time, with a monthly stipend and US citizenship required.

Start date targeted for 2026, pending funding. Participate in field and laboratory work, learn microbiome sequencing, computational modeling, and communicate