AGRICULTURE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. |
| POSITION: | Research Chemist/Research Entomologist/Research Molecular Biologist (Insects)/Research Biologist |
LOCATION: Hilo, Hawaii
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: This position is assigned to the Tropical Plant Pests Management Unit of the U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, Hawaii. Incumbent serves as Research Associate assigned to provide research to identify new and/or improve existing semiochemical attractants for detection and control of four tephritid fruit fly pests of economic importance, their parasitoids and other tropical plant pests. The primary research responsibility will be identification of biologically active semiochemicals and the olfactory receptors that mediate/ influence fruit fly behavior, especially those that will lead to the development of female attractants for several Bactrocera spp. as well as for Mediterranean fruit fly. The Research Associate designs and executes research experiments, performs chemical extractions of insect and/or plant materials, identifies active semiochemicals through use of gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection (GG-EAD), behavioral bioassays and gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and other novel chemical techniques. This research will encompass studies on the chemistry of plant natural products, insect pheromones, and insect chemical ecology. Experience in analytical chemical techniques such as GC, GC-EAD, GC-MS and SPME and/or molecular biology of olfactory receptors and their role in behavior are particularly desirable. Incumbent will document results as scientific papers for publication in refereed journals.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biology, Entomology, Molecular Biology or a related discipline in the biological or physical sciences. Experience in natural products chemistry, gas chromatography (GC), and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as well as working knowledge of insect behavioral bioassays are desirable. For molecular biology, working knowledge of molecular techniques applicable to identification of olfactory receptors and their function is desirable.
INFORMATION ON APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS is
available at: http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/divisions/hrd/hrdhomepage/vacancy/pd962.html
INFORMATION ON EMPLOYEE BENEFITS is available at: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp
FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION OR TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, CONTACT:
Ms. Janet Steele, Secretary, USDA-ARS-PBARC
PO Box 4459
920 Stainback Highway
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: 808-959-4301
Fax: 808-959-5470/4319
E-mail: jsteele@pbarc.ars.usda.gov