USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Participant Opportunity
Application Deadline
9/7/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description
*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.
ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available with the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), at the Systematic Entomology Laboratory (SEL), located in Washington D.C. Relocation will be required.
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: The Systematic Entomology Laboratory (SEL) conducts research on the systematics and taxonomy of insect groups with importance to agriculture. The laboratory also contributes to the curation of the National Insect and Mite Collections (Smithsonian Institution) and provides expert identifications for insects and mites intercepted domestically and at U.S. ports-of-entry for USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ). You will participate in supporting this mission by (i) providing expert identifications of Heteroptera and (ii) collaborating with SEL Research Entomologists to support their ongoing research projects. You will engage in projects on a range of insect / mite taxonomic groups and thus have the chance to train and collaborate with a broad team of experts in the field, while enriching the projects through their own expertise. Research projects will involve morphological and molecular phylogenetics, species description and delimitation, revisionary systematics, development of traditional or digital identification tools, and may involve applying machine learning techniques to achieve these objectives, where and when applicable.
Through this opportunity, You will gain direct experience participating with the National Insect and Mite Collections and will learn modern collection curation techniques. You will train with expert systematists and publish high-quality research in a collaborative environment. You will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities including the Laboratories of Analytical Biology at the National Museum of Natural History and the Electron and Confocal Microscopy Unit at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, offering additional training on equipment and greater opportunities to produce cutting-edge research products.
Learning Objectives: During the appointment, you will;
- Develop skills in insect and mite identification, with focused training in Heteroptera and exposure to diverse taxonomic groups.
- Learn and apply morphological and molecular phylogenetic methods to support systematics research.
- Gain experience in species delimitation, description, and revisionary systematics, contributing to active research projects.
- Build proficiency in developing traditional and digital identification tools, including opportunities to explore machine learning–based approaches.
- Learn modern curation techniques while participating directly with the National Insect and Mite Collections.
- Train collaboratively with expert systematists and gain experience conducting and publishing research in a professional scientific environment.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Michael Gates (michael.gates@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: October 12, 2026. 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.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $6,500 - $7,000 monthly.
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.
Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.ARS.Northeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The candidate should have a Ph.D. (or to be conferred by January 2027) in biology, entomology, or a related field.
Expertise in evolutionary biology and systematics, demonstrated through a record of publications in peer-reviewed journals, will be valued the most. Experience with phylogenomic, bioinformatic, and/or machine learning techniques is highly desirable. Prior experience in insect identification, particularly as it relates to the focal group (Heteroptera), is beneficial. The candidate should have excellent verbal and written communication skills, expert knowledge of insect morphology and taxonomy, and knowledge of scientific nomenclature. Experience in botany, insect collecting techniques, and data input is helpful.
Stipend
$6,500.00 – $7,000.00 Monthly
Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Doctoral Degree.