Agriculture Specialist jobs in Greenville, MS

*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

ARS Office/Lab and Location: A postgraduate research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Crop Genetics Research Unit (CGRU) located in Stoneville, Mississippi.

The mission of the Crop Genetics Research Unit is to (1) develop knowledge of the biology of cotton and soybean plants including their genetic, physiological, and pest resistance interactions with the environment; (2) discover heritable plant characteristics that confer resistance or tolerance to adverse environmental pressures, pests and diseases and improve quality; (3) coordinate the National Cotton Variety Tests and the Uniform Soybean Tests for the southern U.S.; (4) maintain and evaluate a soybean germplasm collection; (5) release improved germplasm, and use this knowledge and new germplasm to enhance production and improve the environment.

Research Project: The selected participant will learn and conduct basic and applied studies on soybean pathology. Specific objectives of the research for this position are to (1) Recover stored Phakopsora pachyrhizi isolates and collect new and previously collected soybean rust disease leaf samples (Mississippi and other Southern states) from ARS or university scientists; (2) Test the viability and virulence of recovered isolates of P. pachyrhizi on susceptible soybean; (3) Test the responses of isolates of P. pachyrhizi different genotypes of soybean with known and unknow resistant genes; (4) to Improve current P. pachyrhizi maintenance methods and establish cryo- preservation for long-term storage; (5) Analyze genetic and pathogenic variations of Mississippi isolates of P. pachyrhizi.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be conducting research experiments, recovering P. pachyrhizi from stored plant tissues, performing pathogenicity tests in growth chambers, tabulating and evaluating data, and writing technical reports of the results.

Learning Objectives: The participant will learn research techniques and approaches used in both basic and applied research that focuses on phytopathological research.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Shuxian Li (shuxian.li@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

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

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for six months, 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 USDA-ARS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.