Job: USDA-ARS Research Plant Pathologist, Salinas, CA

The USDA-ARS lab in Salinas, California has a permanent scientist positions open to work on Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae. The position will support regional agricultural production, which in the Salinas Valley alone has a value in excess of $4.8 billion per year. Historically researchers at our location have enjoyed strong support from our regional agricultural producers. Our location is 2 hours south of San Francisco and 40 minutes away from the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur area. Hiring level is at a GS-12 or GS-13 (Salary range of $88,582 to $136,969 per year) As a Research Plant Pathologist the incumbent will be responsible for, but not limited to: Develop and test biological and/or chemical control measures for the soilborne fungal pathogens affecting strawberry production with emphasis on Fusarium oxysporum and Macrophomina phaseolina; Apply metagenomic approaches based on next generation sequencing to characterize soil microbial communities associated with infected and healthy strawberries; Conduct population analyses of Fusarium oxysporum and Macrophomina phaseolina affecting strawberry through molecular and microbiology based studies; Screen and evaluate plant genetic resistance against Fusarium oxysporum and Macrophomina phaseolina; and Develop or improve diagnostic tests for both Fusarium oxysporum and Macrophomina phaseolina. Additional details about the position (ARS-D18W-0156) may be found at the website www.usajobs.gov USA...
Source: Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: jobs california fungi plant pathology USDA-ARS Source Type: blogs