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 11/05/2024**

Duties

Discover new botanicals, chemical lures, or microbial agents for management of arthropod pests through laboratory analysis and experimentation under controlled and field conditions. Assess the biotic and abiotic factors that enhance or limit performance of botanicals, chemical lures, or microbial agents against arthropod pests. Develop practical and effective biorational approaches for managing arthropod pests.

Requirements

• 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/
• Appropriations Law and Immigration Law requirements must be met
• Valid motor vehicle driver’s license is required for travel to local field sites.

Qualifications

This position requires a Ph.D in Life Sciences such as microbiology, molecular biology, entomology or a related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Graduate study in related fields may be qualifying provided it placed sufficient emphasis on discovery of bioactive natural products. The incumbent must have experience and interest in designing and conducting experiments under controlled (laboratory and greenhouse) and field conditions; a demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment to achieve individual and group objectives; and hands-on experience in some of the following skills: isolation and identification of bioactive compounds, microbial cultures, microbial fermentation, and molecular biology skills such as PCR, RT-qPCR, cloning, and sequencing. Knowledge of current methods used in the discovery of bioactive natural compounds or working knowledge on microbial control of arthropod pests is highly desirable. Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard's requirements of the scientific discipline necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401 (opm.gov) A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Microbiology Series 0403 (opm.gov) A. Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent. OR B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Entomology Series 0414 (opm.gov) A. Degree: entomology; or a related discipline of the biological or physical sciences that included at least 16 semester hours in entomology. OR B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major that included course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty. Application materials will not be returned.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Lakeisha Raybon
• Phone: (334) 344-0228
• Email: [email protected]