This position is located in the USDA, Agricultural Reseach Service (ARS), Peanut and Small Grain Research Unit located in Stillwater, OK. In this position, you will be providing professional support on projects and experiments designed to enhance wheat germplasm using classic breeding and genomic approaches, with an emphasis on Russian wheat aphid (RWA), greenbug, bird cherry-oat aphid (BCOA), leaf rust, and powdery mildew resistance.

Duties

Identifies resistance sources in wheat gene pools and develops mapping/breeding populations. Investigates genetic basis of novel genes conferring resistance to greenbug, Russian wheat aphid, bird-cherry oat aphid, leaf rust, stripe rust, and powdery mildew in wheat and wheat wild species. Evaluates plant resistance to biotic stresses in greenhouses and fields, conducts selection, and transfers newly discovered genes into locally adapted wheat breeding lines or cultivars by marker-assisted backcrossing. Participates in experimental design and data interpretation. Maintains accurate records and summarizes experimental results for written reports to scientific journals. Extracts genomic DNA designs KASP primers, prepares PCR using an OT2-Pipitting Robot, and generates KASP marker data using an ABI ViiA7 Real-time PCR system. Uses computer systems and appropriate software such as word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and the internet for documenting and presenting information to summarize data, document reports and present in graphs and charts.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. Basic Requirements Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND In addition to meeting the basic education requirement above, all applicants must meet the following minimum qualification requirements: GS-11 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience conducting a molecular biological science or genetic and genomics research project related to wheat; operating and managing a research laboratory; and recording and analyzing scientific data for inclusion in manuscripts, technical reports, or oral presentations. OR Education: Successful completion of 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Related degrees may include Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Plant Pathology, Plant-Microbe Biology, Genetics, Crop or Plant Breeding, or Bioinformatics. OR A combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Sydney Teague
• Phone: 918-718-5046
• Email: [email protected]