The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Wheat Genetics, Quality, Physiology, and Disease Research Unit, is seeking a PLANT PATHOLOGIST, (GS-0434-9/11). This is a full-time permanent position. Citizenship restrictions apply. The incumbent will serve as a supporting scientist in research involving wheat and barley stripe rust.

Duties include:

• setting up various wheat and barley nurseries for monitoring disease development and races of the stripe rust pathogen, and for evaluating germplasms for resistance to stripe rust and other foliar diseases;
  
• recording disease data of the nurseries;
  
• conducting field surveys of production fields for stripe rust and other foliar diseases of cereal crops;
  
• collecting disease samples;
  
• conducting stripe rust race identification;
• conducting greenhouse tests for evaluating genetic stocks and regional, national, and international nurseries of wheat and barley for resistance to stripe rust;
  
• and collecting climatic and agronomic data appropriate for disease forecast.

Basic requirement is a degree in 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.

For the GS-9 level, after meeting the basic requirement above, applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in the Federal government; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate degree.

For the GS-11 level, after meeting the basic requirement above, applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

For information on the research program and/or more details on the position, please contact Xianming Chen (Phone: 509-335-8086 or e-mail: xianming@mail.wsu.edu).

For specific application procedures and requirements, please contact Deb Parker at +1-509-335-8663 (e-mail: deb.parker@ars.usda.gov).

USDA/ARS is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Salary: GS9/11, $45,040-$70,843 per annum, commensurate with experience.

Applications must be received by 11:59 EST on October 6, 2008. For more information on this position see vacancy announcement ARS-S8W-0289 at: http:/www.ars.usda.gov/careers .