This position is located in the Cotton Fiber Bioscience Research Unit for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Southeast Area (SEA), in New Orleans, LA. In this position, you will conduct genetic, molecular, and genomic investigations aimed at identifying genes or gene products related to cotton fiber development, and developing novel tools and approaches to improve fiber quality.

Duties

Develop novel genomic tools and approaches to enhance the development of new cotton genotypes with improved fiber properties. Determine effects of climate change events such as drought and temperature fluctuations on cotton fiber quality traits Conduct research to identify genes and/or loci with large effects on fiber and yield traits, develop associated DNA markers to select cotton plants with enhanced fiber quality and yield under various environmental conditions. Conduct research to integrate transcriptome-wide association with genome-wide association (GWAS) to identify expression QTL and candidate genes controlling fiber quality traits. Determine how expression of these alleles with small effects are linked to produce superior cotton fiber phenotypes. Conduct research to functionally characterize candidate fiber genes and develop methods to facilitate allele mining for breeding and gene editing applications in cotton. Participate as a member of a team that includes ARS cotton breeders and scientists to determine appropriate cotton genotypes/traits for study and improvement.

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 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. Evaluation of Experience: For the GS-11 and higher grade levels of such specialized positions, the experience must have been sufficiently specialized to ensure adequate familiarity with the area of specialization or applied field of molecular biology, or have direct application in the area for which the applicant is being considered. 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: conducting research to study the effects of environmental factors such as drought or heat stress on plant growth and development; identifying genes or loci with large effects on important agronomic traits; and applying marker-assisted selection and genomics-based approaches to plant genetics research projects. 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: leading research related to crop genetics and improvement that resulted in improved scientific and professional knowledge; publishing original research in reputable peer reviewed journals; and determining physiological, biochemical, or molecular factors related to plant productivity and responses to abiotic stresses. 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. 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. Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 141 Experimental Station Road Stoneville, MS 38776 US
• Name: Ehila Melton
• Phone: 5716694043
• Email: [email protected]