This position is located in USDA, ARS, Northeast Area, Foreign Disease/Weed Science Research Unit located on the Fort Detrick U.S. Army installation in Frederick, MD. In this position, you will be responsible for conducting research of emerging and foreign viral plant pathogens, focusing on viruses that impact major U.S. agricultural crops. You will develop a comprehensive research program that characterizes the biology, transmission, host range and emergence of plant viruses.

Duties

Conduct independent and collaborative research on foreign and/or emerging viral plant pathogens and their insect vectors. Develop scientific knowledge that will lead to prevention and control measures against foreign plant diseases caused by viruses. Carry out basic and applied research related to the study of viral - host interactions and mechanisms involved in pathogenesis and host response to infection. Establish collaborations and partnerships with university, ARS, and international cooperators and stakeholders for successful completion of research projects. Analyze, interpret, and report research results in the form of presentations, publications, patents, and technical reports.

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.
• Pre-employment and random testing of substances of abuse.
• This position is located in a Biocontainment Facility.
• Requires Select Agent Clearance and full background investigation required for position working in BSL-3 facilities.

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 Plant Pathology Series 0434 Degree: plant pathology; or a related scientific discipline that included at least 20 semester hours in basic botany or plant science, and 10 semester hours in plant pathology. Graduate Education: must have been in plant pathology, or in one of the recognized subject-matter fields of plant pathology, or have followed a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on plant pathology or one of the recognized subject-matter fields of plant pathology, such as those dealing with particular types of pathogens, diseases of particular kinds of crops, or chemical or biological controls. Graduate study in related fields such as microbiology, entomology, plant physiology, genetics, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, or chemistry may also be qualifying, provided it placed a sufficient amount of emphasis on plant pathology. Evaluation of Education: courses in botany, plant physiology, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, agronomy, forestry, horticulture, or similar subjects may be used to meet the 20-semester-hour requirement in basic botany or plant science. To meet the specific 10-semester-hour requirement in plant pathology, the courses must have been in plant pathology, or have dealt with specific subject matter areas of plant pathology such as those concerned with viruses, fungal or bacterial diseases, host-plant relationships, biotic or chemical controls, environmental or physiological diseases, parasitic diseases, etc. 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 performing research related to the interactions between plant viruses, transmission vectors, plants and their environments; experience in laboratory, greenhouse, growth chamber or field research techniques; experience using techniques such as high-throughput sequencing, meta-transcriptomics/-genomics; and publishing research in peer-reviewed scientific journals related to plant pathogens. 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 planning, developing, and conducting a research program that characterizes the biology, transmission, host range and emergence of plant viruses; publishing original research as primary (corresponding) author in peer-reviewed scientific journals related to plant virology, plant pathology, or plant biology; and presenting research findings at professional meetings of national stature. 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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 10300 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Chirag Patel
• Phone: 5716693542
• Email: [email protected]