USDA-ARS Research in Phytochemical Metabolomics and Nutritional Health

Position & Organization Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Location: Beltsville, Maryland Reference Code: USDA-ARS-NEA-2026-0187 Application Deadline: 8/28/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone Program Overview The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the USDA’s chief scientific research agency. This internship will provide an opportunity to engage in a multi‑fasceted research initiative examining how health‑promoting bioactive components—such as resistant starch, micro‑nutrients, and phytochemicals—are affected by growing conditions, processing, and their interactions with the gut microbiome. Under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team, the intern will gain hands‑on experience in cutting‑edge metabolomic profiling and integrated multi‑omics analysis. Responsibilities Participate in ongoing research projects assessing bioactive components in food matrices and their physiological effects. Collect, analyze, and refine samples—food, blood, and feces—using non‑targeted and targeted metabolomic methodologies via LC/MS and GC/MS. Collaborate with bioinformatics scientists to curat and interpret data, identifying biomarkers and metabolic mechanisms influenced by dietary consumption. Optimize high‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry protocols to improve sensitivity and accuracy of phytochemical metabolite identification. Use bioinformatics tools to identify key metabolites involved in plant biosynthetic pathways and host metabolism. Participate in a multi‑omics approach—integrating transcriptomics, metagenomics, and metabolomics—to evaluate the impact of diet on immune responses and gut microbiome health. Work with experimental biologists, nutritionists, and computational scientists to design experiments and interpret biological data. Learning Objectives The intern will gain advanced technical experience in non‑targeted metabolomics, learn how a federal scientific laboratory operates, and understand how interdisciplinary science solves complex nutritional questions. Mentors Gloria Solano‑Aguilar (gloria.solano‑View email address on click.appcast.io) Jianghao Sun (View email address on click.appcast.io) Key Information Start Date: September 1 2026 (flexible; depends on administrative factors) Duration: One year, renewable upon recommendation and availability of funds Participation Level: Full time Stipend: $7,120.58 per month (with health insurance $1,472.96 and relocation allowance up to $5,000) Citizenship: U.S. citizen only ORISE Information: This program is managed by ORAU under a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Participants are not employees of USDA, ARS, DOE, or ORAU and do not receive employment‑related benefits. Health insurance must be provided through ORISE. Qualifications Doctoral degree in relevant field earned within the last 60 months (or anticipated by 8/31/2026) Discipline may include Chemistry, Materials Sciences, Life Health and Medical Sciences, or related areas as listed below:

• Chemistry and Materials Sciences: Analytical Chemistry, Bio‑inorganic Chemistry, Bio‑organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, General Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Sciences, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry
• Life Health and Medical Sciences: (options not specified)

Veterans Preference: Applicable if degree earned within the last 120 months Preferred Skills Experience with analytical chemistry and metabolomic analysis Application Process Complete the online application and upload the required materials by the deadline. All documents must be in English or include an official English translation. Contact Janeen Address: 123 Main Street, Beltsville, MD 20705 Equal Employment Opportunity This position is open to all qualified applicants. No discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin. #J-18808-Ljbffr Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education