USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pathogenicity and Aphid Transmission of Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus

Organization
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Reference Code
USDA-ARS-2022-0241
How to Apply

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A complete application consists of:

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

Application Deadline
8/15/2022 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

ARS Office/Lab and LocationA research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Unit located in Frederick, Maryland.

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.

Research ProjectVirology research at the Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Unit focuses on foreign, invasive, and emerging plant viruses and their vector transmission, using unique containment facilities for research up to biosafety level 3. One emerging virus that is a focus area of the research group is the invasive cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) now infecting crops in the United States. 

Learning Objectives: The ORISE scholar will conduct mentored research on U.S. and foreign isolates of CLRDV and examine aphid transmission parameters and management strategies targeting transmission. Skills developed and specific training in the opportunity will include: proficiency in containment research protocols, plant virus vector transmission, virus diagnostics and disease rating, molecular cloning, sequence analyses, and targeted protein interaction approaches including yeast-two-hybrid and binding assays. The mentored scholar will also have opportunity to develop professionally by collaborating with ARS scientists, meeting with grower stakeholders, and presenting research at stakeholder and scientific venues. 

Mentor(s)The mentor for this opportunity is Lucy Rae Stewart (lucy.stewart@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start DateSeptember 5, 2022. Start date is flexible and will depend upon a variety of factors.

Appointment LengthThe initial appointment is for 2 years, with possibility of opportunity extension if appropriate for research and mentored scholar.

Level of ParticipationThe appointment is full-time.

Participant StipendThe participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship RequirementsThis opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

ORISE InformationThis program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email USDA-ARS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g. Agricultural Science, Plant Pathology, Plant Biology, Microbiology, Biology, Virology, Entomology or related disciplines) or be currently pursuing the degree with completion by August 31, 2022. 

Preferred Skills:

  • Career goals for agricultural research in plant pathology and/or entomology 
  • Experience with plant viruses and/or their insect vectors
  • Wet lab experience with molecular cloning and protein interactions 
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 8/31/2022 12:00:00 AM.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
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