This position is located with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Western Regional Research Center, Crop Improvement and Genetics Research Unit in Albany, CA. In this position, you will be responsible for directing research investigating the effects of wildfire smoke in exposed wine grapes or crops and using genetic engineering, transgene stacking and/or CRISPR gene editing tools to improve grapevines or other plants.

Duties

Design and carry out independent and collaborative research to apply molecular, genetic, genomic and biotechnological approaches to the improvement of crop traits. Develop novel experimental approaches to study the molecular process and biochemical pathways of grapevine in response to environmental conditions such as smoke exposure from wildfires. Develop and analyze genetic and genomics data and resources of grapes to facilitate the discovery, identification, and characterization of genes/sequences that control molecular pathways. Improve or develop molecular tools/resources to enhance the application of plant biotechnology such as improving plant tissue culture, transformation, and gene editing efficiencies. Utilize biotechnological approaches, including CRISPR genome editing, genetic engineering and gene stacking, to determine gene function and to modify the metabolic pathways involved in grape quality. Disseminate research results in the form of oral and poster presentations at scientific and stakeholder meetings, as well as writing and publishing the research results in scientific and trade journals.

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.
• 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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Successful completion of a three year probationary period.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Basic Requirements for GS-0401 Series 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. Basic Requirements for GS-0440 Series Degree: genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics. Graduate Education: Genetics, or a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on genetics. Graduate study in related fields such as plant breeding, agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and physiology that involved cross-training in genetics is qualifying, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on genetics. Evaluation of Education: Most students in the field take graduate work because specific training in genetics may be limited at the undergraduate level. Under these circumstances, it may be necessary to evaluate undergraduate course work in genetics in one of two ways, as described below, to determine whether or not it is qualifying. Courses dealing with genetics, some phase of genetics, or specific techniques that are applied in genetics work are acceptable. This includes courses in genetics, plant or animal genetics, molecular and cellular biology, mathematics and statistics (as they apply to genetics), population dynamics, and certain techniques such as those dealing with irradiation. Course work consisting of an appropriate combination of basic courses in genetics and cytology or statistics are also acceptable. Additional Requirements In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-12 Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or possess an equivalent combination of graduate level education and experience. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level of this position are participating in research to apply molecular, genetic, genomic and biotechnological approaches to the improvement of crop traits; evaluating and recommending changes to projects; providing technical information and consultation pertinent to the project; collaborating with stakeholders; and publishing research results in peer reviewed journals. GS-13 Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level of this position are: conducting research project focused on plant genetic improvement of crops; using molecular, genetic, and bioinformatic methods; evaluating and enhancing data that increase the understanding of genetic control of crop productivity and molecular tools that improve the efficiency and capability of biotechnology for the genetic improvement of grapes and potentially other crops; presenting or publishing research results; and collaborating with university scientists or other stakeholders. To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications. 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 800 Buchanan Street Albany, CA 94710 US
• Name: Ehila Melton
• Phone: 5716694043
• Email: [email protected]