USDA-ARS Enhancing Malt Quality Through

About the Role

A research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Madison, WI. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency.

Research Project

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will help conduct research toward the improvement of the malting quality of barley lines produced in US breeding programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the malt quality evaluation programs for barley lines submitted by collaborating scientists.
• Perform wet lab-based assays to collect phenotypic data from malts produced from the project.
• Analyze malt quality data to assess potential gains in the brewing and distilling process attributed to barley variety or processing methods.
• Disseminate summarized data to collaborating scientists across the US.

Learning Objectives

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will have the opportunity to learn to:

• Describe the science of malting through the grading of raw grain.
• Conduct processing of grain into malts using established micro malting procedures.
• Apply wet lab protocols including quantifying of grain protein and moisture, assessing hydrolytic enzyme activity, measuring of free amino nitrogen concentration and extract potential, and performing modified mashing procedures.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, or Master's Degree in one of the relevant fields.
• U.S. Citizen Only.
• Relevant disciplines include:
• Computer, Information, and Data Sciences
• Earth and Geosciences
• Life Health and Medical Sciences
• Mathematics and Statistics

Preferred Skills

• Interest in pursuing careers in food science, lab quality assurance, and/or malting/brewing/distilling industries.
• Familiarity with routine lab procedures and comfort in a laboratory environment.
• Ability to stand for extended periods (>2hrs).
• Ability to lift >25 pounds.

Appointment Details

• Anticipated Appointment Start Date: As soon as possible (flexible).
• Appointment Length: Initially one year, renewable upon recommendation and availability of funds.
• Level of Participation: Part-time or full-time.
• Participant Stipend: $20,000.00 – $55,000.00 Yearly.

How To Apply

• An application.
• Transcript(s) – Unofficial transcript or copy of student academic records is acceptable.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list.
• Two educational or professional recommendations.
• All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
• To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of the opportunity and click APPLY.

Contact

• Mentor: Jason Walling (jason.walling@usda.gov)
• For application process questions: ORISE.ARS.Midwest@orau.org (include reference code USDA-ARS-MWA-2026-0402)