Research Microbiologist/Ecologist/Entomologist

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the United States Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency and one of the world's premiere scientific organizations. ARS Postdoctoral Research Associates are hired to supplement a lead scientist's research on agricultural problems of high national priority affecting American agriculture.

This position is located in the Crop Bioprotection Research Unit in Peoria, Illinois.

**ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED OR 01/24/2025**

• Design and perform experiments to characterize the gut microbiome of native bees and pollinators through local collection efforts and a network of collaborators.
• Determine how these gut microbiomes are formed and how they are acquired from the environment.
• Evaluate emerging sequencing techniques to determine their applicability to studying native pollinators.
• Research will focus on the applicability of air sampling techniques to survey the pollinator communities and the plants they visit.
• Develop new and fundamental information of the relationship between pollinators and their associated microbes.