USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Soil Science

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Pendleton (OR); On-site; USD 95,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education offers a research opportunity in Pendleton, Oregon, focusing on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics within inland Pacific Northwest cropping systems.

You will collect plant, soil, and air samples and study biogeochemical processes using process-based models or digital twin approaches.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in soil science, biosystem engineering, biogeochemistry or related fields; degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated by 10/1/2026.
• Candidates must be pursuing or have completed a doctoral degree and meet citizenship requirements.
• Participants cannot operate government vehicles; driving may be with personal or rented vehicles for appointment activities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct soil, plant, and air sampling and examine biogeochemical processes affecting carbon and nitrogen dynamics.
• Apply process-based models or develop digital twins for soil carbon and nitrogen processes.
• Collaborate with USDA, universities, and other research institutions; present findings at meetings.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Process-based modelling

Data management

Soil chemistry

Soil physics

Soil biology

Interdisciplinary research

Excellent communication

Education

Doctoral degree

Tools

Database development

Job description

Reference Code

USDA-ARS-PWA-2026-0342

Application Deadline

10/23/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

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 Pendleton, Oregon.

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

The mission of the Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center is to conduct innovative research leading to solutions that increase efficiency and productivity of cropping systems and providing tools that promote soil and agroecosystem health in the low and intermediate precipitation zones of inland Pacific Northwest. You will focus on impacts of agricultural practices on soil chemical and physical properties, biogeochemical processes that influence carbon and nitrogen dynamics and cycling. You will take plant, soil and air samples and examine biogeochemical processes that influence carbon and nitrogen dynamics and cycling in different cropping systems, and study interactions within the soil-water-plant-air continuum using process-based models. You will learn how to take proper soil, plant and air samples that influence carbon and nitrogen dynamics and learns how soil and plant managements affect crop yields, soil organic carbon and nitrogen, plant nutrients uptake and soil pH. Also, gaining experience in using process-based models or developing digital twins for the soil carbon and nitrogen models. You will be collaborating with other scientists and colleagues at or outside the USDA and universities nationally or internationally. Also, you will have opportunity to attend local and national meetings to present the data collected during training.

Learning Objectives

• Gain experience studying how agricultural practices influence soil health, crop productivity, and agroecosystem sustainability.
• Develop skills in collecting and analyzing soil, plant, and air samples to evaluate carbon and nitrogen cycling in cropping systems.
• Learn how biogeochemical processes affect soil chemical and physical properties, nutrient dynamics, soil organic carbon, and soil pH.
• Gain exposure to process-based modeling and digital twin approaches for soil carbon and nitrogen.
• Develop understanding of interactions within the soil–water–plant–air continuum and their impacts on agricultural productivity.
• Collaborate with scientists and researchers from USDA, universities, and other national and international research institutions.
• Build scientific communication skills through opportunities to present research findings at local and national scientific meetings.

Mentor(s)

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

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

October 1, 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 doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields (e.g. soil science, biosystem engineering, biogeochemistry). Degree must have been received within the past five years, or anticipated to be received by 10/1/2026.

Participants cannot operate government vehicles (GOV). If needed, they can use personal vehicles or rent a vehicle for appointment-related activities.

Preferred Skills

• Related degrees may include environmental science, data science and data management, with experience in statistical analysis and process-based modelling.
• A person with training in database development and management, as well as experience and interest in modeling soil carbon cycling, plant nutrients, or agricultural systems, and ability to publish results.
• Knowledge of soil chemistry, soil physics, soil biology and agroecosystem health are desirable.
• Ability to research across disciplines and excellent communication skills.

Stipend

$95,000.00 – $106,334.00 Yearly

Point of Contact

Janeen

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 10/1/2026 12:00:00 AM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (
    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Bio-organic Chemistry
    • Chemistry (General)
    • Environmental Chemistry
    • Inorganic Chemistry
    • Organic Chemistry
    • Physical Chemistry
• Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (10 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (9 )
    • Engineering (3 )
      • Environmental and Marine Sciences (6 )
        • Life Health and Medical Sciences (7 )
          • Mathematics and Statistics (2 )
            • Physics (3 )