USDA-ARS Complete Fruit Catalogue and Digitization of the Citrus Collection
*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.
ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Riverside, California.
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: This research project is embedded within an active and productive genebank responsible for the conservation of citrus and date germplasm. Conservation and research activities span laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments, with a primary emphasis on advancing digital data management and data acquisition strategies within the genebank. The project includes curating and uploading historical records for more than 1,800 Citrus and Date accessions into a BrAPI-compliant database, as well as integrating image-based phenotyping of fruit quality and yield to improve cataloging and characterization of germplasm holdings. The research will generate publishable methodologies and results that support data management and collection strategies for broader adoption across U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) genebanks, in collaboration with the USDA Digital Agricultural Systems Hub (DASH) and associated scientists, including scientists Drs. Amanda Hulse-Kemp and Heather Manching.
Learning Objectives: During this appointment, the participant will gain hands-on experience in genebank management through active involvement in the conservation and characterization of citrus and date germplasm across laboratory, greenhouse, and field settings. They will learn best practices for documenting genetic resources by curating, standardizing, and uploading historical and newly acquired data into a BrAPI-compliant database, as well as integrating image-based phenotyping data for fruit quality and yield. In addition, the participant will develop a strong understanding of citrus and date biology, including traits relevant to conservation, evaluation, and utilization, while collaborating with scientists from the Digital Agricultural Systems Hub (DASH) and contributing to publications that advance data management and collection strategies for the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Robert Krueger (robert.krueger@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for two years.
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 is $87,061 annually.
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.HQPostdoc@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree (Agricultural Science, Computer Science, AI, Data Science, or a related discipline) in the one of the relevant fields.
Preferred skills:
- Experience with database utilization and/or management, machine learning, computer vision, and use of digital data collection strategies is preferred.
- Ability to communicate about strategies and tools implemented effectively to non-expert audiences.
- Ability to research both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Stipend
$87,061.00 Yearly
Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Doctoral Degree.