This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service, Southeast Area, Southern Regional Research Center, Food and Feed Safety Research Unit in New Orleans, LA. In this position, you will serve as a Research Biologist or Molecular Biologist and will be responsible for developing host plant resistance through classical and molecular breeding approaches for the control of aflatoxigenic fungi to improve food and feed safety.

Duties

Conduct research on classical and molecular breeding of corn as a member of a multidisciplinary team of scientists devising ways to enhance host plant resistance to preharvest and postharvest aflatoxin contamination. Provide unique and highly specialized skills in identification and evaluation of resistance genes from different sources including novel natural or synthetic genes or fungal gene silencing for resistance to preharvest aflatoxin contamination. Establish collaborations with university, ARS, industrial and international cooperators for successful completion of assigned projects. Identify natural or synthetic antifungal or antimicrobial gene constructs and evaluate them in transgenic plants, especially against aflatoxigenic Aspergilli. Provide molecular basis of the infection process and toxin production by the saprophytic aflatoxigenic fungi in germplasm to understand host plant-fungus interaction. Genetically engineer by introduction of novel genes, host-induced gene silencing of fungal genes, or editing susceptible native genes to eliminate or minimize preharvest aflatoxin contamination in maize.

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 Biology Series, 0401 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. 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: Experience conducting research related to host-plant and pathogen interaction; utilizing multidisciplinary "omics" approaches such as genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to identify and evaluate resistant genes, fungal gene silencing, and gene editing to develop resistance; and publishing research results related to host-plant and pathogen interaction in crops in peer reviewed scientific 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: Experience conducting research related to host-plant and pathogen interaction in maize; utilizing multidisciplinary"omics" approaches such genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to identify and evaluate resistant genes, fungal gene silencing, and gene editing to develop resistance; publishing original research in peer reviewed scientific journals related to host-plant and pathogen interaction in maize; and collaborating with internal and external 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 141 Experimental Station Road Stoneville, MS 38776 US
• Name: Sydney Teague
• Phone: 703-259-9455
• Email: [email protected]