Summary

Many Research Geneticist (Plants) positions will be filled at different locations within the Agricultural Research Service. Research projects focus on plant improvements, which may include agronomic qualities, nutritional quality, increased production, enhanced uses, or reduction of plant pathogen, pest, or abiotic stress impacts, using genetic/genomic approaches. Incumbent is responsible for devising, planning, conducting, and reporting research completed under assigned research project.

Duties

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• Generate genetic knowledge and products to improve crop production and crop quality and increase U.S. capacity to produce crops of high quality, with reduced farm-inputs (such as reduced pesticides, water, and fertilizer) and increased production.
• Produce improved crops that are more durable than what is currently present in these crops creating more stable yields, increased producer profits, and improved U.S. food security.
• Characterize and identify plant germplasm of interest to the research project.
• Identify and develop molecular markers for predicting performance of those markers.
• Conduct high-throughput phenotyping and genotyping to quantitatively measure and characterize variation of desirable traits in plants.
• Perform traditional breeding, marker-assisted selection, and genome editing.
• Utilize interdisciplinary approaches, such as population biology, that will inform breeding decisions and management strategies.
• Transfer knowledge, tools, germplasm, and genetic markers to stakeholders, including other breeders in industry and academia.
• Employ conventional and novel technologies to find innovative solutions to stakeholder challenges.
• Analyze, interpret, and report research results in the form of presentations, publications, and technical reports.

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 Genetics Series, 0440

Degree: genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics.

Graduate Education: Genetics, or a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on genetics. Graduate study in related fields such as agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and physiology that involved cross-training in genetics is qualifying, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on genetics.

Evaluation of Education: Most students in the field take graduate work because specific training in genetics may be limited at the undergraduate level. Under these circumstances, it may be necessary to evaluate undergraduate course work in genetics in one of two ways, as described below, to determine whether or not it is qualifying.

1. Courses dealing with genetics, some phase of genetics, or specific techniques that are applied in genetics work are acceptable. This includes courses in genetics, plant or animal genetics, molecular and cellular biology, mathematics and statistics (as they apply to genetics), population dynamics, and certain techniques such as those dealing with irradiation.
2. Course work consisting of an appropriate combination of basic courses in genetics and cytology or statistics are also acceptable.

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 have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the duties of the position OR 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service OR a combination of graduate level education and specialized 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 this position at the GS-12 level are:

• Conducting research related to plant genetic improvement; AND
• Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings; AND
• Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

GS-13: Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) 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 this position at the GS-13 level are:

• Planning and conducting research related to improving crop productivity, disease and pest resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, or consumer quality; AND
• Presenting research findings at scientific conferences; AND
• Publishing research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

GS-14: Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) 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 this position at the GS-14 level are:

• Planning, conducting, and leading team research related to improving crop productivity, disease and pest resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and consumer quality; AND
• Presenting research findings at scientific conferences; AND
• Publishing independent research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND
• Establishing or expanding collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

GS-15: Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) 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 this position at the GS-15 level are:

• Developing, executing, and managing a research program related to crop improvement; AND
• Presenting research findings at national and international scientific conferences; AND
• Publishing independent research findings related to crop improvement as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND
• Serving as Principal Investigator on a collaborative research grant.

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.

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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Additional information

The selectee's assigned research area/crop focus will be based on duty station. Available duty stations and associated research areas/crop foci are:

Aberdeen, ID - Potato, Barley

Albany, CA - Produce Safety, Wheat

Charleston, SC - Brassica Crops

Fargo, ND - Cereal Crops, Sunflower

Florence, SC - Cotton

Geneva, NY - Grape

Hilo, HI - Coffee

Jackson, TN - Soybean

Lincoln, NE - Forage Crops

Logan, UT - Forage Legumes, Rangeland Grasses

Lubbock, TX - Cotton

Madison, WI - Potato, Carrot, Onion, Cranberry

Miami, FL - Cacao

Mississippi State (Starkville), MS - Corn, Corn Mycotoxin

Parlier, CA - Prunus, Citrus

Poplarville, MS - Small Fruits - Blueberry, Muscadine Grapes

Prosser, WA - Hops

Pullman, WA - Dry Pea, Lentil

Raleigh, NC - Soybean

Saint Paul, MN - Alfalfa

Stoneville, MS - Soybean

Stuttgart, AR - Rice

Tifton, GA - Grass, Forage

Urbana, IL - Soybean

Woodward, OK - Forage Crops

Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel.

Vacant research positions may be filled at one of several grade levels depending upon the scientific impact of the person selected. For this reason, you are encouraged to apply at all grade levels. A peer review will be required for selections made at grades GS-13 and above and the selectee will be required to submit supplemental materials.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.