Research Plant Pathologist

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Minimum qualification requirements are found in the General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov). Basic Qualification 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 to qualify at each grade level. GS-14: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal Service. GS-15: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-14 level are: – Planning and conducting independent and collaborative research on wheat and barley resistance to rust pathogens; AND – Publishing related research results as the senior author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND – Being invited to present research findings at scientific conferences or meetings, either in person or virtually; AND – Experience supervising staff to accomplish research objectives; AND – Working with stakeholders to enhance research efforts and writing grant proposals to expand existing programs. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-15 level are: – Leading group efforts and planning and conducting independent and collaborative research on wheat and barley resistance to rust pathogens; AND – Publishing related research results as first or corresponding author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND – Being invited to present research findings at scientific conferences or meetings, either in person or virtually; AND – Experience supervising staff to accomplish research objectives; AND – Developing and maintaining relationships with commodity groups or other 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.
The incumbent is a Research Plant Pathologist in the USDA, ARS, Cereal Disease Research Unit located at the University of Minnesota in Saint Paul, MN. The incumbent conducts research on diseases of cereal crops caused by Puccinia spp. including but not limited to wheat leaf rust caused by P. triticina and barley leaf rust caused by P. hordei.