Career Center

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit in Wapato, Washington in Yakima County, has a postdoctoral term position available for a Molecular Biologist for up to two years at the GS-11 level. The position concerns insect genomics, transcriptomics and molecular biology (RNAi) in insect vector/plant disease pathosystems. Duties and assignment include:

• Conducting molecular genetics and genomics research on insects and the plant pathogens they transmit.
• Setting up insect pathogen infection bioassays, sampling insects, extracting genetic material and preparing samples for transcriptomic sequencing.
• Analyzing and interpreting transcriptomic and genomic datasets.
• Developing RNA interference effector materials and conducting experimental insect bioassays with these materials.

Yakima County has a population of around 250,000, including the urban center of Yakima, which has a population of around 100,000. Yakima is centrally located in Washington State, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours drive from the major urban centers of Seattle, Portland and Spokane, and 1 to 2 hours drive from Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains. 

This position requires a Ph.D in Biology, Entomology, Molecular Biology, Genetics or Genomics is required, or a related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

In addition to the basic education requirement listed above, skills and abilities related to management and analysis of genomic or transcriptomic datasets are required. Skills and abilities related to standard molecular biology laboratory work is required. Knowledge and experience related to conducting insect bioassays is desirable.

The position is open to US Citizens or Nationals. Application instructions and full details about requirements for employment for this position and by the USDA are included at the Job Application URL: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/658641400

For questions about this position, please contact William Walker at william.walker@usda.gov

The USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.