Supervisory Research Plant Pathologist/Supervisory Research Geneticist

Agricultural Research Service • Aberdeen, ID

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Pacific West Area (PWA), at the Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research Unit in Aberdeen, Idaho. The role supports research to develop tools for disease-resistance screening, genetic mapping of resistance genes, and application of mapped genes in resistance breeding.

The position contributes to the National Small Grains Collection by identifying new sources of disease resistance, developing genetic markers, and implementing marker analyses for key traits. It is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the unit’s research creativity and productivity, including hiring personnel and managing the unit’s human, fiscal, and physical resources.

Research spans breeding and pathology of small grains and potatoes; cereal chemistry and genetics; small-grains germplasm maintenance and evaluation; and rainbow trout genetics, nutrition, physiology, and feed technology. The position develops, evaluates, and applies genomic tools to small-grains genetics and germplasm-enhancement research; identifies and maps disease-resistance and quality genes and develops markers for them; and develops improved barley and oat cultivars for conventional and specialty markets in dryland and irrigated production systems in the western United States.

The position has open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact are periodically evaluated, and the final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel. The position may be eligible for telework up to four days per week and flexible work arrangements, subject to agency policy and applicable agreements.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Successful adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of a three-year probationary period; a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period may also apply unless prior service is creditable.
• New USDA supervisors must complete all required components of the supervisory training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Successful completion of E-Verify employment verification.
• For GS-14, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13 in the Federal service, including experience leading a research project in plant genetics or genomics, plant breeding, or plant pathology that contributes to crop genetic improvement; evaluating and enhancing relevant crop data; and presenting or publishing relevant research results.
• For GS-15, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14 in the Federal service, including managing a relevant research team; evaluating and enhancing relevant crop data; presenting or publishing relevant research results; and identifying and prioritizing research through stakeholder interaction.
• Plant Pathology Series 0434 education requirement: a degree in plant pathology or a related scientific discipline with at least 20 semester hours in basic botany or plant science and 10 semester hours in plant pathology, or qualifying graduate education with a major emphasis in plant pathology or a recognized subject-matter field.
• Genetics Series 0440 education requirement: a degree in genetics or a basic biological science including at least 9 semester hours in genetics, or qualifying graduate education with a major emphasis in genetics.
• Submit a one-page abstract of an MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation, as strongly recommended; failure to submit may result in loss of consideration or referral.
• Submit a list of persons familiar with the applicant’s stature and contributions, along with relevant recognition, honors, memberships, presentations, professional service, and publications.
• Be available to report for duty when selected.
• Federal employees may be required to submit a confidential financial disclosure report within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.

Nice To Haves

• A one-page abstract of an MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation is strongly recommended.
• Experience and recognition materials such as honors, awards, professional memberships, invited scientific or technical presentations, society offices or committee assignments, other presentations, and publications are recommended for submission.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the National Small Grains Collection’s work identifying new sources of disease resistance.
• Develop genetic markers and implement genetic-marker analyses for key traits.
• Maintain and enhance the research creativity and productivity of the unit.
• Hire personnel and manage the unit’s human, fiscal, and physical resources.
• Conduct research involving breeding and pathology of small grains and potatoes, cereal chemistry and genetics, small-grains germplasm maintenance and evaluation, and rainbow trout genetics, nutrition, physiology, and feed technology.
• Develop, evaluate, and apply genomic tools to small-grains genetics and germplasm-enhancement research.
• Identify and map genetic markers for disease-resistance and quality genes.
• Develop improved barley and oat cultivars for conventional and specialty markets, for dryland and irrigated production systems in the western United States.
• Lead or manage research projects and teams, as applicable to the selected GS level.
• Evaluate and enhance data to improve understanding of genetic control of crop productivity, quality, or biotic-stress resistance.
• Present or publish research results supporting genetic improvement of crops.
• Identify and prioritize important plant genetics or pathology research through interaction with national commodity groups, industry representatives, university scientists, or other stakeholders, as required for GS-15.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized, subject to the hiring official’s determination.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior