USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Analytical Chemistry

USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Analytical Chemistry

Join to apply for the USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Analytical Chemistry role at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

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• An application.
• Transcript(s). For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or a copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted.  for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list.
• Two educational or professional recommendations.

Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Reference Code: USDA-ARS-SEA-

2/13/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Research opportunity in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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.

The participant will engage in research utilizing advanced analytical chemistry techniques to investigate off‑flavor compounds in water and food systems. With mentor guidance, they will develop optimized sample‑preparation workflows and instrumental quantification methods to enhance analytical capabilities within the Food Processing and Sensory Quality (FPSQ) Research Unit. Training will include solid‑phase microextraction (SPME and SPME Arrow) techniques, GC‑MS method development, calibration strategies, and data analysis for semi‑volatile compounds.

The participant will contribute to a collaborative research program focused on understanding the dynamics of off‑flavors in salmonid aquaculture and related food matrices. Results will be communicated to the scientific community through conference presentations and peer‑reviewed publications.

The experience will provide hands‑on learning in multidisciplinary team environments and exposure to real‑world research challenges in food quality and chemistry. The participant will develop technical competencies in advanced sample‑preparation workflows, SPME/Arrow extraction, GC–MS quantification, calibration modeling, and data analysis for semi‑volatile compounds.

• Mastering method development and validation principles (LOD/LOQ, accuracy, precision, matrix effects).
• Troubleshooting analytical instrumentation and optimizing extraction efficiency for complex food and water matrices.
• Interpreting chromatographic and mass‑spectral data, including chemo metric approaches for quantifying off‑flavor compounds.
• Understanding biological and environmental drivers of off‑flavor formation in aquaculture systems.
• Developing scientific communication skills through presentations and manuscript preparation.

The mentor for this opportunity is Brennan Smith (brennan.smith). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

2026 (flexible)

The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Full time.

The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend is $70,000 annually.