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• An application
• Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list.
• Two educational or professional recommendations

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

*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.

ARS Office/Lab and Location: A postdoctoral research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at the Tropical Agriculture Research Station (TARS) located in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

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 of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.

Research Project: The research will be carried out at the USDA-ARS Tropical Agriculture Research Station (TARS) which is a clonal germplasm repository of the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) and consists of locations at Mayaguez and Isabela, Puerto Rico and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. TARS mission is to conduct agricultural research to: 1) assess tropical sorghum and dry bean genetic resources for disease resistance and genetic diversity and develop germplasm adapted to temperate regions, and 2) introduce, preserve, evaluate, regenerate, distribute tropical fruit germplasm and develop cultural and management systems for tropical/subtropical crops that are of economic importance to the Continental and Insular U.S.

The overall objective of this research is to develop efficient and sustainable monitoring and/or control methods for key pests that greatly limit tropical fruit crop production and quality. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will design, conduct, and disseminate research to improve knowledge of key pests and identify problems and priorities through collaborative relationships with academia, industry, and regulatory agencies. Participant conducts basic and applied research to develop programs on biological control and integrated pest management of insect pests of tropical fruit crops, including mango and coffee. Specific objectives of the research will involve: 1) Developing efficient and sustainable monitoring and/or control methods for key pests that limit tropical/subtropical fruit production and quality; 2) Investigating the ability of non-conventional methods of cultivation to reduce reliance on pesticides in tropical and sub-tropical fruit crops; and 3) Identifying key biocontrol agents and evaluate the suitability of releasing these organisms or fostering them in an orchard setting.

Learning Objectives: The participant will visit experimental fields and growers’ farms to monitor key insect pests to develop efficient monitoring and/or control methods for these pests and to Identify biocontrol agents and evaluate the suitability of releasing these organisms or fostering them in an orchard setting.

Participant will learn concepts and methodologies of entomology, chemical ecology, insect behavior and population ecology, and biocontrol systems for pest management strategies.

Participant will be able to publish results from research in peer reviewed journals and make presentations in professional society meetings. Participant will also have the opportunity to interact actively with stakeholders from private industry.

Mentor(s): The mentors(s) for this opportunity is Ricardo Goenaga (ricardo.goenaga@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 2023.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for two years but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE Information: This 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 ORISE.ARS.Southeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields or be currently pursuing the degree with completion before December 31, 2023. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Knowledge of entomology, chemical ecology, insect behavior, insect population ecology, and insect biocontrol systems.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2023 11:59:00 PM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (6 )
• Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).