The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the United States Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency and one of the world's premiere scientific organizations. ARS Postdoctoral Research Associates are hired to supplement a lead scientist's research on agricultural problems of high national priority affecting American agriculture. **ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED OR JANUARY 16, 2026**

Duties

Lead research projects that use genome data to expand our understanding of microbial evolution and phylogenetics among bacteria and/or fungi available in the USDA-ARS Culture Collection (NRRL). Conduct research that encompasses phylogenomic, comparative genomic, and/or population genomic analyses on a bacterial or fungal group of their interest that is present in the NRRL. Work collaboratively with project scientists to curate externally generated genome data using machine-learning techniques to detect publicly available scientific data generated on NRRL strains. Work with the NRRL Curator to develop virtual collections for targeted genera/groups that will provide the user community access to microbial germplasm with links to up-to-date taxonomic data and publicly available genomic data. Identify research needs, develop hypotheses, objectives, appropriate computational methodology, and analysis and interpretation of the results in the forms of manuscripts and conference presentations. Maintain and curate NRRL sequence data archives, facilitate large scale data transfers between ARS and collaborators, and upload of completed genome assemblies to publicly available databases.

Requirements

• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Appropriations Law and Immigration Law requirements must be met.

Qualifications

This position requires a recent (obtained in the last 4 years) Ph.D. in Genetics, Microbiology, Computational Biology, or a closely related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Knowledge of genomics and bioinformatics and prior experience with de-novo genome assembly and annotation methods and analyses is highly desirable. Knowledge in one or more of the following scripting languages (e.g., R, Python) and/or programming languages (e.g. FORTRAN, C/C++, C#, Perl) for the analyses of genomic data sets is preferred. Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard's requirements (noted below) of at least one of the scientific disciplines necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Basic Requirements for Microbiology Series (0403) 1. Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent. OR 2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Basic Requirements for Genetics Series (0440) Degree: genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics. Graduate Education: Genetics, or a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on genetics. Graduate study in related fields such as agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and physiology that involved cross-training in genetics is qualifying, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on genetics.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty. Application materials will not be returned.

A Ph.D. is required that was obtained within the last 4 years.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Heather Lee
• Phone: 301-956-3803
• Email: heather.lee@usda.gov