This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service, Pacific West Area, Crop Diseases, Pests & Genetics Research Unit in Parlier, CA. In this position, you will be responsible for developing and introducing new cultivars of stone fruits (almond) to sustain American agriculture and supply high quality fruits to US consumers and international markets.

Duties

Conduct independent and team research to improve breeding efficiency of stone fruits, including almonds, generating improved cultivars in support of National Program 301 (Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics, and Genetic Improvement). Work with multidisciplinary teams of scientists, including breeders, geneticists, horticulturists, plant physiologists, plant pathologists, agricultural engineers, and food scientists to meet research goals and technology transfer. Analyze data and prepares scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed research journals and represents USDA and ARS on matters related to research assignment. Screen existing plant germplasm and breeding materials for desirable traits such as self-compatibility, shell hardness, bloom time, and resistance to pests and diseases including root-knot nematodes. Establish a multiomic strategy for almond breeding. Implement large-scale breeding and field management for genotyping and phenotyping of breeding populations to increase genetic gain for desirable traits. Manage open-source breeding network including data management and integration of models, omics, and artificial intelligence to improve prediction accuracy. Enhance existing industry partnerships to validate horticultural characteristics of elite accessions such as self-compatibility (almonds), high nut and fruit quality, consumer appeal, and economic production.

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 Genetics Series, 0440 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 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: conducting independent and team research to improve breeding efficiency of stone fruits; screening existing plant germplasm and breeding materials for desirable traits; and analyzing data and preparing scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed research 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: implementing large-scale breeding and field management for genotyping and phenotyping of breeding populations to increase genetic gain for desirable traits; manage open-source breeding network including data management and integration of models, omics, and artificial intelligence to improve prediction accuracy; analyzes data and publishing research in peer reviewed research journals related to plant breeding; and sharing research results with stakeholders. 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 800 Buchanan Street Albany, CA 94710 US
• Name: Matthew Knoche
• Phone: (571) 418-0373
• Email: [email protected]