Post Graduate Research Opportunity – Horticulturist - Floral and Nursery Plants Research

Organization
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Reference Code
ARS-FNPRU-2015-0052-05
How to Apply

A complete application package consists of:

  • An application
  • Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted.  Selected candidate must provide proof of completion of the degree before the appointment can start.  Proof must be sent to ORISE directly from the academic institution including graduation date and degree awarded.  All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation.
  • A current resume/CV

If you have questions, send an email to USDA-ARS@orau.org.  Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

Description

A post graduate research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit (FNPRU) in Beltsville, Maryland.

The selected applicant will document and inventory accessions in the U.S. National Arboretum's Woody Landscape Plant Germplasm Repository in Beltsville, Maryland. Activities will include managing the seed inventory, conducting germination tests to monitor and determine seed viability in diverse taxa, maintaining detailed records, processing distribution requests to a national and international customer base, propagating plants for both distribution and preservation, processing newly collected seeds including seed cleaning and distribution to other NPGS sites, entering all relevant data into GRIN and BGBASE databases.

The appointment is part-time for twelve months and may be renewed based upon recommendation of the ARS and availability of funding.  The selected applicant will receive a stipend as support for their living and other expenses during this appointment.  Stipend rates are determined by ARS officials, and are based on the applicant’s academic and professional background.  The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance.  Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.  The participant does not become an employee of ARS or ORISE.

While participants will not enter into an employment relationship with ARS, this position requires a pre-employment check and a full background investigation.

This 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.

This is an equal opportunity program open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or covered veteran’s status.

For more information about the ARS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.

Qualifications

Eligible applicants must have received an undergraduate degree in biology, plant science, horticulture, or related field.  Experience working with plants in a landscape or nursery setting, experience with plant propagation via seed and cuttings, experience with data entry into databases and spreadsheets and skills in maintaining inventories and managing collections, distributions and databases are preferred.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (5 )