Description *Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis. ARS Office/Lab and Location : A postdoctoral research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Unit located in Ames, IA.
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 : By 2030, world agricultural production must increase by 60% to feed an additional two billion people. Improving crop yields and mitigating losses due to biotic and abiotic stresses is critical for global food security. The overarching goal of this project is to develop gene regulatory networks (GRNs) for soybean resistance responses to iron deficiency stress. We are leveraging the soybean germplasm collection, extensive phenotyping, gene expression studies to identify the major signaling genes regulating these networks. Virus induced gene silencing and genome editing will be used to characterize gene function and the networks they control. The knowledge generated will be exploited to improve soybean for enhanced abiotic stress tolerance by accelerating breeding programs and enabling the engineering of new and improved traits.
Learning Objectives : As a result of this experience, the participant will 1) learn methods to conduct whole genome expression analyses (RNA-seq) of plant abiotic stress responses, 2) learn bioinformatic methods to identify and characterize candidate genes of interest, 3) learn methods to conduct viral induced gene silencing of candidate genes of interest, and 4) develop skills in conducting, writing and presenting research.
Mentor(s) : The mentor for this opportunity is Dr. Jamie O'Rourke ( ). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date : May/June 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length : The appointment will initially be for eleven months, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds. Funding extends until June 2025.
Level of Participation : The appointment is full-time.
Participant Stipend : The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.
Citizenship Requirements : This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
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 and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.
Preferred Skills: Experience collecting and analyzing phenotypic and genotypic data to understand genetics underlying traits of interest. Ability to plan and conduct research experiments. Experience in data collection and analysis methods. Eligibility Requirements Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s). Discipline(s): Life Health and Medical Sciences (7 ) How to Apply Connect with ORISE...on the GO!Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!
A complete application consists of:
An application Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts. A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list Two educational or professional recommendations All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
