Please see the following link for full job posting: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/549707700?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Open & closing dates

10/28/2019 to 11/15/2019

Salary

$74,596 to $160,286 per year

Summary

The Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit located in Corvallis, Oregon is seeking a permanent, full-time, Research Geneticist (Plants) for their worksite at the Washington State University, Irrigated Agricultural Research and Extension Center located in Prosser, Washington. The incumbent conducts breeding research of hops in the Yakima and Willamette Valleys leading to the development of improved cultivars for the global brewing industry.

Responsibilities

  • Conducts breeding research of hops in the Yakima and Willamette Valleys leading to the development of improved cultivars for the global brewing industry.
  • Uses hop genomics and genetics data to develop new breeding methods and tests the effectiveness of new procedures within an applied hop breeding program.
  • Generates new knowledge that improves the efficiency of hop breeding and result in new concepts that can be applied to breeding of other perennial or dioecious crops.
  • Conducts research on the genetic control of economically important traits, including but not limited to disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, adaptability, and brewing sensory qualities.
  • Participates in team research to build genomic resources and elucidate gene function for traits of economic importance.
  • Leads stakeholder engagement and technology transfer activities to achieve adoption of improved hop cultivars and breeding methods.
  • Prepares or contributes to preparation of research plans, technical reports, annual reports, grant proposals, peer-reviewed manuscripts, and germplasm registrations.

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:
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.

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 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: Experience working in a breeding program expected to result in the release of improved germplasm, AND experience conducting breeding, genetics, or genomics research that leads to publications in peer reviewed 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: Experience leading a breeding program expected to result in the release of improved germplasm, AND experience conducting breeding, genetics, or genomics research that leads to primary authorship of publications of considerable interest and value to the field of research, AND experience working in scientific collaborations that were successful in developing new knowledge, products, or methods.

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: Experience leading a breeding program, AND has developed and released improved germplasm, AND has experience conducting breeding, genetics, or genomics research that lead to primary authorship on scientific papers which have had a major impact on advancing the field or are accepted as authoritative in the field, AND experience leading scientific collaborations that were successful in developing new knowledge, products, or methods.

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: Experience leading a breeding program, AND has developed and released improved germplasm that was widely adopted by stakeholders, AND has experience conducting breeding, genetics, or genomics research that resulted in primary authorship of a number of important papers including seminal or synthesis publications, some of which have had a major impact on advancing the field or are accepted as authoritative in the field, AND experience leading scientific collaborations with scientists in diverse areas of research that were successful in developing new knowledge, products, or methods.

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 be considered for this position, you must submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Also, 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.