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. Basic Requirements for Plant Pathology, 0434 Series 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. Specialized Experience: 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 research related to plant pathology (including but not limited to molecular genetics and genomics of plant pathogen interactions or molecular characterization of host plant disease resistance mechanisms); and publishing independent research results in peer-reviewed related 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: leading, coordinating and conducting independent research in the field of plant pathology (including but not limited to molecular genetics and genomics of plant-pathogen interactions or molecular characterization of host plant disease resistance mechanisms); using both classical and advanced molecular genetics and genomic techniques to investigate and develop solutions to key research problems; and authorship of peer-reviewed journals related to plant pathology. GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 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-14 level of this position are: testing new theories concerning the molecular mechanisms of plant-pathogen interactions; identifying and evaluating plant disease resistance genes; publishing independent research findings as either first or senior corresponding author in peer-reviewed journals; and establishing collaborations with internal and external stakeholders. GS-15: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 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-15 level of this position are: conducting independent and team research that successfully identified specific molecular genetic and genomic characteristics of plant pathogens and their host plants that provided new basic insights into biological mechanisms governing their interactions; developing and deploying new disease management technologies (including chemical, novel host-plant resistances, or biological controls); participating in national and international research programs with university, government, and private industry scientists; and presenting research findings at professional meetings. 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.
This position is located within the Agricultural Research Center (ARS), Pacific West Area (PWA), at the Crop Improvement and Protection Research Unit in Salinas, CA. In this position, you will help to improve performance of germplasm for carrot, strawberry, and leafy vegetables by determining basic biology of oomycete, fungal, and nematode diseases affecting these crops, including the development of systems approaches for control of soilborne diseases.