USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellow in Analytical Chemistry Fruit Quality and Food Science

USDA-ARS; Parlier (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA-ARS is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to support research on postharvest quality of fresh fruits. You will join a team performing analytical chemistry investigations to characterize volatile and non-volatile metabolites affected by postharvest treatments or diseases, using HS-SPME-GC-MS, TD-GC-MS, LC-MS, and related technologies.

The role includes integrating chemical data with sensory quality assays to assess aroma and flavor impacts, collaborating to refine workflows for

Qualifications

• Strong background in analytical chemistry, preferably in food science or plant sciences.
• Experience with collection/interpretation of high-resolution MS data and statistical analysis.
• Proven ability to design, optimize, and validate analytical methods for complex samples.
• Excellent communication and collaboration in multidisciplinary teams.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications

Responsibilities

• Conduct analytical chemistry investigations to profile volatile and non-volatile metabolites in fresh fruit under postharvest conditions.
• Perform chemical profiling using platforms such as HS-SPME-GC-MS, TD-GC-MS, LC-MS, and HRMS.
• Integrate chemical data with sensory quality assays to evaluate aroma and flavor impacts.
• Collaborate with a research team to develop and refine analytical workflows for postharvest fruit quality and disease management.

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to support research focused on postharvest quality of fresh fruits. The postdoctoral fellow will join a research team for analytical chemistry investigations aimed at characterizing volatile and non-volatile metabolites associated with pathogen infections and postharvest treatments that affect fruit quality and sensory attributes. Research includes (1) performing chemical profiling of fresh fruit using advanced analytical platforms (e.g., HS-SPME-GC-MS, high resolution mass spectrometry and related technologies) to quantify changes in flavor compounds, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other chemical markers influenced by postharvest treatments or diseases and (2) integrating chemical data with sensory quality assays to evaluate how postharvest treatments impact consumer-relevant attributes such as aroma, flavor, and overall fruit acceptability. The postdoctoral fellow will also have opportunities to collaborate with the research team to develop and refine analytical workflows that support broader studies on postharvest fruit quality and disease management.

This position offers opportunities to contribute to high-value research that directly supports industry resilience, advances understanding of fruit metabolomics and VOC dynamics, and strengthens science-based approaches to enhancing postharvest fruit quality and disease management.

The ideal participant will possess:

• A strong background in analytical chemistry, preferably within the context of food science, plant sciences, plant physiology, or related natural products research.
• Demonstrated skills in the analysis of volatile and non-volatile analytes, including hands-on experience with HS-SPME-GC-MS, TD-GC-MS, LC-MS, or other comparable advanced analytical platforms.
• Demonstrated skills in the collection and interpretation (including statistical analysis) of high resolution mass spectrometric data, such as time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
• Proven ability to design, optimize, and validate analytical methods for quantitative and qualitative characterization of complex biological samples.
• Experience with "-omic" analysis techniques, i.e.: volatilomics, metabolomics, etc.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research team.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications demonstrating the ability to conduct and disseminate high- quality research.