USDA-ARS Biobased Polymers Fellowship
Application Deadline
7/17/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description
*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 Peoria, Illinois.
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 National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR) in Peoria, Illinois, is among the largest agricultural research centers in the United States. NCAUR employs nearly 200 scientists and support staff in research to developing new technologies for converting renewable agricultural materials into high value bioproducts.
Research Project: Rubber compounds for tire tread applications are complex, multi-component thermoset composite materials that are required to perform under a wide variety of climate, road, and driving conditions. Current tire formulations rely on chemicals derived from oil and natural gas, many of which are harmful to human and aquatic life. In current rubber formulations, 6PPD is a key additive that inhibits tire degradation and imparts antioxidant and antiozonant properties. Unfortunately, its use in tires result in the release of the highly toxic byproduct 6PPD-quinone into the environment. Thus, there is a need to develop new rubber composites that are derived from non-hazardous, natural components. The two primary goals of this project are: (1) Develop rubber tire formulations that contain at least 70% by weight biobased content, and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of biobased alternatives to 6PPD. This will be done by using blends of natural rubber, chemically modified natural rubber, components sourced from agricultural feedstocks, and plant-based antiozonant compounds.
A fellow will join a research project that seeks to develop new rubber composites and additives from plant based feedstocks. Interdisciplinary collaborations and stakeholder engagement will be leveraged to maximize research impact. Outcomes from this project may improve environmental sustainability, agricultural economies, and supply chain resilience.
Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will have the opportunity to learn to:
- Understand the chemical and physical properties of natural rubber, fillers sourced from agricultural products, and rubber additives.
- Design, compound, and analyze new rubber composite formulations.
- Utilize rheological data to monitor and optimize compounding processes.
- Apply principles of organic chemistry and polymer chemistry to synthesize potential 6PPD replacements from biobased starting materials.
- Characterize material performance, stability, degradability, and safety using advanced analytical and engineering methods.
- Integrate sustainability considerations, including life-cycle thinking and green chemistry principles, into material development.
- Collaborate across disciplines and engage stakeholders to ensure research relevance, scalability, and real-world impact.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is DeMichael Winfield (demichael.winfield@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: July 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.
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 range is $82,500 - $92,500 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.Midwest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields.
Stipend
$82,500.00 – $92,500.00 Yearly
Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Doctoral Degree.