U.S. Department of Agriculture
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USDA-ARS Research Opportunity: AI-Based Gene Expression and Interaction Prediction in Haemaphysalis longicornis U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in United States
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Monthly stipend of $6,224 with a $738.88 insurance supplement; full-time appointment initially for two years.
Deadline
Nov 20, 2026
Country
United States
University
U.S. Department of Agriculture
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About this position
This research opportunity at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in Kerrville, Texas focuses on the Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) and the poorly understood mechanisms of somatic sex differentiation in this invasive ectoparasite.
The participant will work on a computational and molecular biology project aimed at integrating large datasets to predict gene interactions and uncover regulatory networks involved in sex determination. The project emphasizes AI-based analysis of gene expression and long-range interaction prediction, using DNA, RNA, and epigenetic information such as chromosome accessibility data collected from male and female adult ticks from native and expansion ranges.
A major component of the work is adapting Enformer and related computational approaches to connect genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic signals and to identify candidate genes and non-coding factors associated with sexual differentiation. The research also includes protein-to-DNA alignments, gene prediction for complete gene structures and coding sequences, and functional annotation using Gene Ontology and KEGG resources.
The opportunity sits within USDA-ARS National Program NP104, Veterinary, Medical, and Urban Entomology, and is designed to build experience across advanced molecular genetics, long-read sequencing, computational biology, and scientific reporting in an applied agricultural research environment.
Funding details
Monthly stipend of $6,224 with a $738.88 insurance supplement; full-time appointment initially for two years.
What's required
The candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, and the degree must have been received within the past four years or be currently pursuing. This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only. Applications must include transcripts, a current resume/CV, two educational or professional recommendations, and a copy of an abstract or reprint of an article. All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
How to apply
Go to the Zintellect opportunity page and click APPLY at the bottom of the posting. Upload the required transcripts, CV, two recommendations, and an abstract or article reprint, ensuring all documents are in English or officially translated.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.