Website link here: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/573915500?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Open & closing dates

 07/17/2020 to 08/14/2020

Salary

$76,721 to $118,603 per year

Summary

This position is located in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Wheat Health, Genetics, and Quality Unit, in Pullman, WA.

The incumbent will conduct research using quantitative genetics, bioinformatics and computational biology to integrate diverse and complex data sources (such as genomic, metagenomic, metabolomic, phenomic and climate) to investigate evolution, selection and interactions among plants and the environment.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and apply statistical and computational approaches to analyze genomic and metagenomic data along with phenotypic data to link genes, gene expression and products to traits including plant growth and resistance to diseases and abiotic stress.
  • Develop and implement statistical genetic models for genomic selection of favorable traits to ensure the development of wheat germplasm with high end-use quality and adaptation to diverse growing environments.
  • Develop and apply statistical, bioinformatic and computational methods to analyze multiscale data, such as genomic, quantitative genetic, phenomic, and transcriptomic data, to enhance productivity in Pacific Northwest cereal-based cropping systems.
  • Develop and implement next generation analytical capabilities for the characterization of germplasm, SNPs, haplotypes and/or other omics data and their interactions with the environment and agricultural practices.
  • Collaborate to develop the statistical and computational tools needed to complete Unit goals, such as improving wheat breeding, gene and marker discovery, and analyzing microbial communities.
  • Collaborate to elucidate transcriptional and regulatory networks associated with resistance to disease or abiotic stress.

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:
Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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 independently conducting quantitative or population genetics and bioinformatic research on plants, animals or microorganisms; conducting research using bioinformatics, or statistical, or genomic software packages; conducting research utilizing quantitative genetic theory and methodology; AND experience being recognized through citation as a contributor to projects, or peer-reviewed publications related to quantitative or population genetics, bioinformatics or computational biology.

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: Coordinating a collaborative project on quantitative or population genetics or bioinformatic research on plants, animals or microorganisms; coordinating research utilizing bioinformatics, or statistical and genomic software packages; cordinating a research utilizing quantitative genetic theory and methodology; collaborating with internal or external stakeholders on research of mutual interest; AND experience leading projects and publishing research findings related to quantitative or population genetics, genomics or bioinformatics as first, or corresponding author.

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.