This Position Closed on 31-Dec-2012

Job Title:Research Plant Pathologist (Postdoctoral Research Associate)

Department:Department Of Agriculture

Agency:Agricultural Research Service

Job Announcement Number:RA-12-044-H

SALARY RANGE:	$62,467.00 to $81,204.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:	Tuesday, May 15, 2012 to Monday, December 31, 2012
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0434-11
POSITION INFORMATION:	Full Time - Excepted Service Term NTE NTE 2 years
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy(s) - Beltsville, MD United StatesView Map
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:	US Citizens and Non Citizens

JOB SUMMARY:

Find Solutions to Agricultural Problems that Affect Americans Every Day, From Field to Table

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the United States Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency and one of the world's premiere scientific organizations.  ARS Postdoctoral Research Associates are hired to supplement a lead scientist's research on agricultural problems of high national priority affecting American agriculture.

Applications for this position will be accepted from both US Citizens and Foreign Nationals who meet both  Appropriations Law and Immigration Law requirements found under "Foreign Nationals Eligible for Federal Employment" at http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/EmployForeignNationals/index.htm.

 

The Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit is looking for a candidate who received their PhD within the last four years to gain exceptional research experience designed to improve current detection and identification methods for a select agent pathogen.

 

This position requires the selectee to undergo a Special Agreement Check (SAC) background investigation. Any offer made is considered a tentative job offer pending the outcome of the background investigation. Retention in the position is based upon a favorable adjudication of the SAC background investigation. The incumbent will be subject to periodic reinvestigations. This position requires applicant drug testing. The incumbent will also be subject to random drug testing. 

 

**ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED OR DECEMBER 31, 2012**

KEY REQUIREMENTS



• A Ph.D. is required
• A Special Agreement Check background investigation is required
• Applicant drug testing and incumbent random drug testing is required

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DUTIES:

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Major Duties:

The incumbent will conduct research to improve current detection and identification methods for the select agent pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (r3b2). The assignment is to develop genome-based multiplex PCR and/or qPCR assays to simultaneously detect and differentiate R. solanacearum r3b2 strains from other non-select agent strains of R. solanacearum in a single reaction.  This research is a component of ARS National Program 303, Plant Diseases. The objectives for the incumbent are:  1) to identify unique and distinguishing non-mobile markers and 2) to test and develop those markers into PCR and/or qPCR primers and probes to simultaneously detect and differentiate R. solanacearum r3b2. Possible methods include bioinformatics, comparative genomics and molecular detection.

 

 

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QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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This position requires a recent Ph.D in in Plant Pathology, Bacteriology, Molecular Biology or a related field and the ability to use bioinformatics and methods in molecular biology including PCR- and quantitative real-time PCR-based assays.

 
Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard's requirements of the scientific discipline necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. 

This position has a positive education requirement.  You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position.  If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position.  If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty.  Application materials will not be returned.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.  It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.  Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a for additional information on this topic.

 

 

 

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application will be evaluated to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position as defined above under "Qualifications".

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BENEFITS:

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A Benefits Package will be authorized for appointments made for a period of more than one year.  Additional information about Federal benefits can be obtained at
http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc. 

OTHER INFORMATION:

Relocation and Other Incentives:
Payment of relocation expenses and other incentives will be determined in accordance with P&P 412.5, Recruitment and Retention Incentives and Other Special Pay, Sections 6 and 7, as amended by Bulletins 03-402 and 05-412.5, which may be found at http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/Bulletins/05-412-5.pdf.  See also http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/staffing_recruit/reloweb.htm.

Veteran's Preference:  If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach member 4 copy of your DD-214. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.

False Statements:
If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; may be fired after beginning work; or may be fined or jailed.

Optional Form 306 (Declaration for Federal Employment):
If you are selected for this position, you will be required to complete this form before an offer may be made.

Selective Service System:
Males over age 18 who were born after December 31, 1959, must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for Federal employment.

ARS Reasonable Accommodation Contact Information:
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, or have questions regarding reasonable accommodation and/or accessibility for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Disability Program Manager on 202-720-6161 or through the DC Relay Service on 202-855-1234 (TDD).

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HOW TO APPLY:

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Applications may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the appropriate address and/or facsimile number listed below:

Dr. Qi Huang

USDA/ARS/USNA

10300 Baltimore Avenue

Building 004, Room 116

Beltsville, Maryland 20705

 

Phone: 301-504-9159

Fax:  301-504-5449

E-mail: Qi.huang@ars.usda.gov

If sending your application as an attachment to an email, do not send zipped files.  They will be removed in accordance with standard electronic security procedures.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

If application packages do not contain all of the requested information, you may lose consideration for the job.  To help you ensure your application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this position, please submit the following documentation as appropriate.   Some of the items listed may not apply to you.  NOTE:  Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.

APPLICATION PACKAGE CHECKLIST

__ Resume, Curriculum Vitae, or other document outlining your qualifications

The following information is required of all applicants:
__ Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the position

__ Full name, mailing address (including zip code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code)

__ Indicate country of citizenship
__Copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Only if claiming veteran's preference. Visit the following web site for additional information: http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp)

__SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference) plus the supporting documentation required by this form (if claiming 10-point veteran's preference).  Visit http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp to obtain the form.

__ Paid and non-paid work experience related to the position.  For each period of work experience include:
          ___Job title
          ___Series/grade (if Federal employment)
          ___Duties and accomplishments
          ___Employer's name and address
          ___Supervisor's name and contact information
          ___Starting and ending dates of employment (at least month/year)
          ___Number of hours worked per week
          ___Salary
          ___Indicate if we may contact current supervisor/employer

__ Other job related information, such as training courses (title & year); skills (e.g., other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, etc.)
          ___Certificates/licenses (current)
          ___Honors, awards, and special accomplishments
       
__ Copy of college transcripts (If you have non-conventional education, e.g., foreign study, continuing education units, life experience, etc., go to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a and look under the heading Other Education for information governing acceptability of this type of education.)

 

As an Applicant for a Postdoctoral Research Associate Position, you must also submit the following:

__  A one-page abstract of Ph.D. dissertation

__  A resume of 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 invitations); and publications.

__  A list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, and recognition.

If this is your first time applying for a federal job, or if you wish to view more detailed information about  various aspects of applying for federal jobs, go to http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Qi Huang
Phone: (301)504-9159
Fax: (301)504-5449
TDD: 202-855-1234
Email: QI.HUANG@ARS.USDA.GOV

Agency Information:
BA United States National Arboretum
USDA/ARS/USNA
10300 Baltimore Avenue
Building 004 Room 116
Beltsville, MD
20705 Fax: (301)504-5449

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Applications will be received and reviewed for consideration until a selection has been made.

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