USDA ARS Seeks Research Geneticist (Plants)

Responsibilities

• Participate with the supervisor and provide information in support of the planning and executing of the long-range goals of the PGRU hemp germplasm project.
• Including preserving, propagating, characterizing and distributing genetically-pure, disease-free seed or clones of cultivated and wild active germplasm collections.
• Apply scientific findings, developments, conventional and contemporary tools and advances (e.g., molecular markers and other molecular, biochemical, and ?omics technologies) in hemp germplasm conservation to solve critical and complex problems.
• Solve critical and complex problems such as preserving adequate genetic diversity, identifying genetic gaps, and evaluating accessions for correct identity, duplication, and potentially valuable traits in the collection
• Oversee the selection and shipment of requested plant material in accordance with appropriate state, federal, and international laws.
• Ability to plan, organize, and carry out conservation of plant genetic resources with responsibility for making observations, evaluations, and interpretation of data of diverse plant characteristics and genetic and genomic information.
• As required, collect or acquire new genetic resources of hemp .
• As appropriate, conduct and report research on genetic diversity, population genetic structure, systematics, taxonomy, plant biology, regeneration characteristics, hemp fiber, biomass, and biochemical characteristics, and nutritional quality.
• Develop, modify, and characterize various core collections, mapping populations and diversity panels using field, greenhouse and laboratory techniques for regeneration, trait evaluation, and quality control and applies molecular and other techniques.
• Participate in the recommendation and/or development alternative methods/ techniques to accomplish objectives especially where standard procedures do not apply with unadapted germplasm.
• Search scientific literature and participates in scientific meetings, workshops, and conferences to implement the latest principles of plant genetic resource management.
•  Professional knowledge of the principles, concepts, practices and methods of genetics, genomics, plant breeding, horticulture, molecular biology and/or plant genetic resources.
• Participate with the supervisor in the development of project objectives. As required, prepares progress reports and other documents.
• Ability to recognize problems in applying phenotyping techniques and genomic technologies to genetic resource management and their scientific implications.
• Facilitate the development, maintenance, and enhancement of information in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)- Global database.
• Ability to collect, organize, analyze and provide associated information to be included in appropriate reporting structures such as GRIN-Global and other databases.
• Ability to use molecular markers and suitable genomic techniques to perform genetic and genomic analyses for genetic resources.
• Ability to use computer software and data base systems, such as GRIN Global database, for storing and retrieving plant descriptor data, and evaluating the genetic diversity of the collection.
• Ability to develop documentation and data management in support of the germplasm collection development and research.
• Ability to develop technical reports and, as appropriate, document findings through peer reviewed and proceedings publications in scientific journals.