USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Research Opportunity: Computational and Experimental Approaches to Study Bovine Respiratory Disease

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education in Ames, Iowa, invites doctoral researchers to join the ARS project on bovine respiratory disease, emphasizing bioinformatic and transcriptomic analyses. The role includes training in scientific writing, project planning, and data presentation, under mentorship.

The appointment is full-time for one year with potential renewal, starting January 2027. The stipend is $6,273.67 monthly; eligibility requires US citizenship.

Qualifications

• Pursuing or holding a doctoral degree in virology, microbiology, immunology, computational biology, or related field.
• Degree must have been received within the last five years, or anticipated by 7/1/2027.

Responsibilities

• Engage in bioinformatic and transcriptomic research to characterize viral evolution and host responses during BVDV infection.
• Access and apply advanced molecular, computational, and immunological tools in ABSL-2 lab.
• Assist in wet-lab experiments and animal studies as needed to support project objectives.
• Co-author peer‑reviewed manuscripts and present findings at meetings.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Transcriptomic analysis

Laboratory skills

Infectious disease research

Education

Doctoral degree (within last 5 years or by 7/1/2027)

Job description

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Reference Code

USDA-ARS-MWA-2026-0363

Application Deadline

11/20/2026 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), Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research Unit (RDIRU), located in Ames, Iowa.

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.

The National Animal Disease Center (NADC) is a leading research facility dedicated to advancing animal health, food safety, and infectious disease research. The Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research Unit conducts research on high-impact ruminant pathogens affecting U.S. agriculture. The selected participant will join a multidisciplinary team investigating the bovine respiratory disease complex, with emphasis on bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV).

Research Project

You will engage in bioinformatic and transcriptomic research to characterize viral evolution and host responses during BVDV infection. You will have access to advanced molecular, computational, and immunological tools within an ABSL-2 laboratory environment. You will be mentored in research methodologies aligned with the USDA–ARS mission in animal health and infectious disease. You will receive mentorship in scientific writing, project planning, and data presentation. Specific research activities may include:

• Examining BVDV genetic diversity, with a focus on deletion-containing viral genomes that arise during replication
• Investigating how BVDV modulates early antiviral immune responses, including interferon signaling pathways
• Conducting wet-lab experiments and assisting in animal studies, as needed, to support project objectives
• Co-authoring peer-reviewed manuscripts
• Presenting research locally and at scientific meetings

Learning Objectives

• Understand viral evolutionary biology and mechanisms of pathogenesis
• Evaluate host-pathogen interactions, immune modulation, and ruminant immunology
• Conduct transcriptomic and other genomic analysis approaches
• Apply laboratory techniques, sample processing, and data interpretation in a research setting

Mentor(s)

The mentor for this opportunity is David Holthausen ([e-mail]).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

January 2027. 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.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields (e.g. virology, microbiology, immunology, computational biology, or a related discipline). Degree must have been received within the past five years, or anticipated to be received by 7/1/2027.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in bioinformatics or transcriptomic data analysis, practical laboratory skills, and familiarity with infectious disease or immunology research.
• Ability to integrate computational and experimental approaches to explore complex biological questions related to bovine respiratory disease.

Stipend

$6,273.67 Monthly

Point of Contact

Michele

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Agricultural Sciences
  • Animal Health and Food Safety
  • Animal Sciences
  • Comparative Medicine and Laboratory Animal Medicine
  • Computational Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics, including Genome Sciences
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses
  • Microbiology
  • Veterinary Sciences
  • Virology
• Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).