USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Opportunity– Fungal Population Dynamics & Mycotoxin Ecology in Corn

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 66,960 - 71,758; Full time

Job summary

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education is looking for a research participant to join a team studying fungal communities and mycotoxin contamination in corn. This full-time position involves conducting experiments and utilizing modern analytical techniques under the guidance of a mentor.

Qualified candidates should be pursuing or have completed a doctoral degree in plant pathology or related fields. The position offers a stipend of $6,000 – $6,430 monthly and is based in Peoria, Illinois.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or has received a doctoral degree in relevant fields.
• Experience with fungal biology or microbiome sequencing is preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills are necessary.

Responsibilities

• Characterize fungal population structure across corn stages.
• Apply molecular and microbiome sequencing to track fungal communities.
• Conduct mycotoxin quantification and field experiments.
• Integrate computational tools to model fungal shifts and drivers.

Skills

Fungal biology

Microbiome sequencing

Mycotoxin analysis

Quantitative skills

Computational skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Education

Doctoral degree in Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Ecology, or Computational Biology

Job description

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Reference Code

USDA-ARS-MWA-2026-0269

How to Apply

To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.

Application Deadline

6/4/2027 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Location

National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), Peoria, Illinois.

Research Project

You will join a multidisciplinary team’s project at the intersection of plant pathology, microbiology, molecular biology, and computational biology. The research focuses on understanding the population dynamics of fungal communities throughout the growing season and how these dynamics influence mycotoxin contamination in corn.

• Characterizing fungal population structure and succession across key phenological stages of corn.
• Applying molecular and microbiome sequencing approaches (ITS/TEF amplicon sequencing, qPCR, metagenomics) to track fungal communities.
• Conducting mycotoxin quantification to link fungal ecology with toxin outcomes.
• Conducting field and greenhouse experiments to identify and evaluate the effects of factors that influence mycotoxin risk.
• Integrating computational and statistical tools to model fungal population shifts and identify environmental or biological drivers of mycotoxin risk.
• Collaborating with plant pathologists, microbiologists, chemists, and data scientists to develop predictive insights that support improved food and feed safety.

Learning Objectives

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will learn to: (a) utilize field and laboratory methods in plant pathology and fungal ecology; (b) perform microbiome analysis, bioinformatics, and computational modeling; (c) conduct rapid mycotoxin analysis; (d) prepare scientific communication and manuscripts; (e) design field and laboratory experiments that integrate agronomic, microbiome, and ecological datasets.

Mentor

Joseph Opoku ([e-mail]).

Appointment

Start Date: September 2026 (flexible). Length: One year, renewable subject to funding.

Level of Participation: Full time.

Stipend: $6,000 – $6,430 monthly.

Citizenship Requirements

U.S. citizen only.

Program Information

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; health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Questions

For application questions, email [e-mail] and include the reference code.

Qualifications

The candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Ecology, Computational Biology, or a related field.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with fungal biology, microbiome sequencing, or mycotoxin analysis.
• Quantitative or computational skills.
• Written and oral communication skills.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. citizen only.
• Degree: Doctoral degree.
• Discipline(s) – Chemistry and Materials Sciences disciplines: Analytical Chemistry, Bio-inorganic Chemistry, Bio-organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Chemistry (General), Environmental Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Sciences, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry.
• Computer, Information, and Data Sciences disciplines.
• Life Health and Medical Sciences disciplines.