U.S. Department of Agriculture
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USDA-ARS Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Molecular Plant Pathology, Computational Biology, and AI for Plant Disease Resistance U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in United States
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Full-time postdoctoral fellowship with a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience; anticipated stipend range is $85,447 to $100,000 annually.
Deadline
Nov 20, 2026
Country
United States
University
U.S. Department of Agriculture
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About this position
This postdoctoral fellowship is hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service at the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station in Miami, Florida. The project focuses on improving disease resistance in cacao (Theobroma cacao) by combining molecular plant pathology with computational biology and AI-enabled analysis.
The research centers on understanding cacao defense mechanisms and identifying genetic and molecular factors that can strengthen resistance against pathogens. The successful participant will work on gene expression analysis, promoter characterization, and functional validation of candidate genes, while also having opportunities to contribute to genomics, digital phenotyping, and CRISPR-based validation where appropriate.
The project sits within an interdisciplinary environment that brings together plant pathologists, geneticists, and bioinformaticians. It is based at USDA-ARS, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s in-house research agency, and aligns with the mission of the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station to support tropical and subtropical crop research in the southern United States. The fellowship is designed to support research publication and engagement with the broader cacao research community.
The work also includes exposure to hyperspectral imaging, advanced phenotyping, machine learning approaches for interpreting genomic and phenotypic data, experimental design, and cacao germplasm management. The mentor for the opportunity is Ezekiel Ahn.
Funding details
Full-time postdoctoral fellowship with a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience; anticipated stipend range is $85,447 to $100,000 annually.
What's required
Applicants should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in a relevant field. The degree must have been received within the past four years, or be anticipated by the appointment start date. Candidates must be U.S. citizens only and should have a minimum overall GPA of 3.20. Preferred experience includes molecular genetics, plant pathology, molecular biology, DNA and RNA extraction and sequencing, gene expression analysis, recombinant DNA techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 and vector construction, experience with GMOs and their modification methods, and strong ability to communicate scientific findings and collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.
How to apply
Scroll to the bottom of the opportunity page and click APPLY. Submit an unofficial transcript or academic record copy, a current resume/CV with academic history, employment history, relevant experience, and publication list, and two educational or professional recommendations. Ensure all documents are in English or include official English translations.
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Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.