Applications are now open for the 2026 Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) USDA ARS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in USA with Annual Stipend
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The ORSE USDA ARS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026 offers an excellent opportunity for early career scientists who want to contribute to agricultural research while developing advanced laboratory and field research skills. This programme is hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS).
ORISE USDA ARS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026 Summary
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Host Organization | U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) |
| Program Administrator | Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) |
| Fellowship Type | Postdoctoral Research Fellowship |
| Location | Peoria, Illinois, USA |
| Research Area | Honey Bee Health, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genomics |
| Fellowship Duration | One year (renewable based on funding and performance) |
| Annual Stipend | $74,678 |
| Application Deadline | September 25, 2026 |
| Start Date | October 2026 (Flexible) |
| Citizenship Requirement | U.S. Citizens Only |
About the ORISE USDA ARS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
The USDA Agricultural Research Service is the principal scientific research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture. Its mission is to develop practical scientific solutions that improve agricultural productivity, food safety, environmental sustainability, and public health. This fellowship is hosted at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), one of the largest agricultural research centers in the United States. Researchers at the center work across several scientific disciplines to solve real-world agricultural problems affecting farmers, industries, and communities.
The 2026 fellowship focuses on studying diseases affecting managed honey bee colonies across Illinois. The successful fellow will participate in statewide surveillance activities, laboratory analysis, molecular diagnostics, and pathogen discovery using modern sequencing technologies. The research aims to identify both known and previously undiscovered pathogens while evaluating biological compounds that could help protect honey bee colonies from diseases and pests such as Varroa mites.
Fellows will gain valuable research experience while contributing to projects with direct agricultural and environmental impact working under the mentorship of Dr. Jose Luis Ramirez
ORISE USDA ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship Benefits
- Annual stipend of $74,678
- Full-time research appointment
- One-on-one mentorship from experienced USDA scientists
- Hands-on experience using advanced molecular biology techniques
- Opportunity to work with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies
- Experience in field surveillance and laboratory research
- Access to world-class agricultural research facilities
- Opportunities to publish research findings
- Experience presenting research at scientific meetings
- Possibility of fellowship renewal based on funding availability and performance
ORISE Research Areas
The selected fellow will contribute to research involving several important scientific areas, including:
- Honey bee health
- Agricultural microbiology
- Molecular biology
- Plant and insect pathology
- Virology
- Metagenomics
- Disease surveillance
- Sustainable agriculture
- Biological control
- Environmental microbiology
Learning Opportunities
Throughout the fellowship, participants will develop practical skills in several research techniques that includes:
- Designing field surveillance studies
- Collecting honey bee and hive samples
- DNA and RNA extraction
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
- Sanger sequencing
- Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
- Metagenomic analysis
- Isolation of bacterial and fungal pathogens
- Bioassay development
- Statistical data analysis
- Scientific writing
- Publishing research papers
- Presenting scientific findings
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements before applying.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be currently pursuing or have completed a doctoral degree in a relevant scientific discipline.
- Be available to participate full-time.
- Be able to obtain health insurance during the fellowship.
Although not mandatory, applicants with the following experience have an advantage:
- Experience working with insects or honey bees
- Molecular biology laboratory skills
- PCR and qPCR techniques
- DNA or RNA extraction
- Metagenomic sequencing
- Scientific programming using R or Python
- Bioinformatics analysis
- Scientific writing and publications
- Field research experience
Why This Fellowship Matters
Honey bees are responsible for pollinating many crops that support food production around the world. Diseases, parasites, and environmental stress continue to threaten bee populations, making research in this area increasingly important.
Through this fellowship, researchers contribute to developing better methods for detecting pathogens, improving colony health, and supporting sustainable agriculture. The findings generated through this research can benefit farmers, beekeepers, researchers, and policymakers across the United States.
Required Documents
Before starting your application, prepare all the necessary documents mentioned below to ensure a smooth submission process.
- Completed online application through the Zintellect portal
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume
- Doctoral degree certificate or proof of PhD completion (or evidence that the degree is being pursued)
- Academic transcripts, if requested
- List of research publications or manuscripts (if available)
- Contact information for professional references
- Any additional supporting documents requested during the application process
How to Apply for the USDA ARS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before applying, ensure that you:
- Are a U.S. citizen.
- Hold or are completing a doctoral degree in a relevant field.
- Meet the research background requirements.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application Materials
Update your CV to include:
- Research experience
- Laboratory techniques
- Scientific publications
- Conference presentations
- Programming and bioinformatics skills
- Awards and scholarships
Step 3: Visit the Official Application Portal
Access the official Zintellect application portal
Step 4: Complete the Online Application
Provide accurate information regarding:
- Personal information
- Academic qualifications
- Research interests
- Technical skills
- Previous research projects
- Publications
Step 5: Upload Supporting Documents
Attach all required documents in the requested format.
Step 6: Review Your Application
Carefully review every section before submission to avoid mistakes or missing information.
Step 7: Submit Before the Deadline
Applications close on September 25, 2026. Since applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Fellowship Announcement | August 3, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | September 25, 2026 |
| Expected Start Date | October 2026 |
| Fellowship Duration | One Year (Renewable) |
Expert Tips to Increase Your Chances
Competition for USDA research fellowships is strong. These strategies can improve your application.
Highlight Laboratory Experience
Clearly describe experience with:
- PCR
- qPCR
- DNA extraction
- RNA extraction
- Next Generation Sequencing
- Microbiology
- Molecular diagnostics
Include Research Publications
Even unpublished manuscripts, thesis chapters, and conference papers demonstrate research productivity.
Showcase Field Experience
Experience collecting biological samples, conducting agricultural research, or working with insects can strengthen your application.
Mention Programming Skills
Knowledge of:
- R
- Python
- BLAST
- QIIME2
- Bioinformatics pipelines
can make your application more competitive.
Tailor Your CV
Avoid submitting a generic academic CV. Instead, emphasize experience directly related to:
- Honey bee biology
- Agricultural microbiology
- Virology
- Entomology
- Molecular biology
- Plant pathology
CLICK HERE TO START YOUR APPLICATION
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply for the USDA ARS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship?
The fellowship is open only to U.S. citizens who are pursuing or have completed a doctoral degree in a relevant scientific field.
2. Where is the fellowship located?
The fellowship is based at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Illinois.
3. What is the annual stipend?
Selected fellows receive an annual stipend of $74,678.
4. When is the application deadline?
Applications close on September 25, 2026.
5. When does the fellowship begin?
The anticipated start date is October 2026, although it is flexible.
6. How long is the fellowship?
The initial appointment lasts one year and may be renewed depending on funding and performance.
7. Is previous work experience required?
No. Professional work experience is not required, although relevant research experience is preferred.
8. What research topics are covered?
The fellowship focuses on honey bee health, pathogen discovery, molecular biology, microbiology, genomics, and sustainable agriculture.
9. Is the fellowship open to international applicants?
No. Only U.S. citizens are eligible.
10. Are fellows considered USDA employees?
No. Participants are research fellows administered through ORISE and are not federal employees.
11. Is health insurance provided?
Health insurance is required, but fellows are responsible for obtaining coverage through ORISE or another provider.
12. What laboratory techniques are preferred?
Experience with PCR, qPCR, sequencing technologies, DNA/RNA extraction, and microbiological methods is highly desirable.
13. Is bioinformatics experience helpful?
Yes. Experience with R, Python, QIIME2, BLAST, and similar software is considered an advantage.
14. Can current PhD students apply?
Yes, if they are currently pursuing a relevant doctoral degree and meet the eligibility requirements.
15. Will fellows publish research?
Yes. Fellows are encouraged to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.
16. Who supervises the research?
The fellowship is supervised by Dr. Jose Luis Ramirez at the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
17. Does the fellowship involve fieldwork?
Yes. Fellows participate in collecting bee and hive samples from apiaries across Illinois.
18. Will I work with advanced sequencing technologies?
Yes. The project includes Next Generation Sequencing, metagenomics, and molecular diagnostics.
19. Are applications reviewed after the deadline?
No. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis before the deadline, making early submission highly recommended.
20. Where can I apply?
Applications must be submitted through the official Zintellect opportunity portal using reference code USDA-ARS-MWA-2026-0303.
