Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Swine Health

A complete application package 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.  Selected candidate must provide proof of completion of the degree before the appointment can start.  Proof must be sent to ORISE directly from the academic institution including graduation date and degree awarded.  All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation.  Click Here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV
• Two references – While two references are requested, applications will be considered without reference information.  It is preferred that a complete application package contains a minimum of one reference.

If you have questions, send an email to USDA-ARS@orau.org.  Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

A postdoctoral research opportunity in swine health is available with the the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory (ABBL) in Beltsville, Maryland.

The candidate will conduct research to investigate the gut microbiome and metabolome of swine to search for biological factors that can be used to predict success during the weaning transition. Current technologies in high-throughput sequencing and analysis allow for the investigation of bacterial communities that may predispose piglets to health or illness. Research activities will involve screening swine through high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics, metabolomics, qRT-PCR for gene expression of immunological targets in swine, ELISA, and tissue culture with the porcine jejunal cell line (IPEC-J2).

The appointment is full-time for 12 months, with an anticipated start date of April 1, 2018, and may be renewed based upon recommendation of the ARS and availability of funding.  The selected applicant will receive a monthly stipend as support for their living and other expenses during this appointment.  Stipend rates are determined by ARS officials, and are based on the applicant’s academic and professional background.  The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance.  Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. 

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, USDA, ARS, or any other office or agency.  Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

While participants will not enter into an employment relationship with ARS, this position requires a pre-appointment check and a full background investigation.

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.

For more information about the ARS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.

To be eligible, applicants should have a PhD in biology,  microbiology, or agricultural science with a high degree of experience with molecular biology laboratory techniques and experimental design.  Candidates should be willing to work with swine and have experience in molecular and/or microbiological techniques.

Preferred Skills:

• DNA/RNA extraction/analysis
• bioinformatics
• PCR/primer design
• tissue culture
• experience with research animals
• ability to manage large/complex datasets
• excellent communication (written and oral) skills
• good publication record
• ability to work independently

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (8 )