USDA ARS Data Analytics and Plant Genetics Fellowship

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend

Job summary

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) administers a USDA ARS research fellowship in Urbana, Illinois. Fellows will work on weediness evolution, crop stress tolerance, and gene discovery using genomic and phenomic data, with hands-on lab work and collaborative projects with ARS and university partners.

The appointment is for one year, starting December 2026 (flexible), with a stipend of $70,000–$90,000 per year and opportunities to gain experience in plant genomics,

Qualifications

• Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field, received within the past five years or by 31/01/2027.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Experience in plant genomics, data processing, or related research is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, phenomic and physiological datasets.
• Conduct hands-on experiments, data processing, and interpretation of results.
• Collaborate with ARS scientists and university partners.
• Apply image-based phenotyping using satellite and UAV data.

Skills

Image-based analytics

R/Python Shiny

Mobile app development

Education

Master's degree

Doctoral degree

Job description

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Reference Code

USDA-ARS-MWA-2026-0388

Application Deadline

12/4/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

• 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

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

This fellowship supports research focused on identifying the genetic and physiological mechanisms that drive weediness evolution, crop stress tolerance, and breeding improvement. You will help analyze genomic, transcriptomic, phenomic, and physiological datasets from corn, snap bean, soybean, and waterhemp to identify genes involved in herbicide sensitivity and abiotic-stress resilience. This includes hands-on experimentation, data processing, and collaborative research with ARS scientists and university partners. Through this appointment, you will develop advanced experience in plant genomics, quantitative genetics, and stress-response biology. Image-based analytical techniques using satellite and UAV platforms will be integrated to enhance phenotyping and support research and development efforts.

Learning Objectives

• Detail how genetic and physiological mechanisms contribute to weediness evolution, crop stress tolerance, and crop-improvement breeding.


• Analyze genomic, transcriptomic, phenomic, and physiological datasets from corn, snap bean, soybean, and waterhemp.


• Identify genes and genetic pathways associated with herbicide sensitivity and abiotic-stress resilience.


• Advance knowledge in plant genomics, quantitative genetics, and plant stress-response biology.


• Conduct experiments, data processing, and interpretation of plant-performance results.


• Apply image-based phenotyping techniques, including satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms.

Mentor(s)

The mentor for this opportunity is Zhanyou Xu ([e-mail]). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

December 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.

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 [e-mail] and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a master's or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years or is anticipated to be received by 1/31/2027.

Preferred Skills

• Image-based analytical techniques using satellite and UAV platforms


• R and python Shiny Application development


• Mobile app development experience

Stipend

$70,000.00 – $90,000.00 Yearly

Point of Contact

Michele

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only


• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.


• Discipline(s):
  
  
  
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences
  
  
  • Artificial Intelligence (including Robotics, Computer Vision, Human Language Processing, and Machine Learning)
  
  
  • Computer Architecture and Grids
  
  
  • Computer Science - Languages and Systems
  
  
  • Computer Science - Theoretical Foundations
  
  
  • Computer Science (general)
  
  
  • Computer Systems Analysis
  
  
  • Computer Systems Design (including Signal Processing)
  
  
  • Data Science
  
  
  • Databases, Information Retrieval, and Web Search
  
  
  • Graphics and Visualization
  
  
  • Human Computer Interaction
  
  
  • Information Science and Technology
  
  
  • Information Security and Assurance
  
  
  • Networks and Communications
  
  
  • Operating Systems and Middleware
  
  
  • Scientific Computing and Informatics
  
  
  • Software Engineering
  
  
  
  


• Engineering (1)
  
  
  
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51)
    
    
    
    • Mathematics and Statistics (11)
      
      
      
      • Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).