THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE IS AN EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: The position is located in the Subtropical Plant Pathology Unit of the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL.  The incumbent will examine the interactions of Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV; the cause of watermelon vine decline in Florida) with other viruses infecting cucurbit hosts and the insects that transmit them.  The effect of these interactions on the development of watermelon vine decline will be determined using symptoms and disease progress rates initially with commercial cultivars and subsequently with identified virus-resistant or tolerant germplasm.  The incumbent will also use existing SqVYV isolates and collect additional ones to develop and evaluate watermelon vine decline management options including cross protection and resistance screening.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Recent Ph.D. in Plant Pathology or a closely related field with an emphasis on plant viruses, is required.  Knowledge of virus ecology (specifically interaction of multiple viruses), insect transmission of viruses, and virus detection, identification and characterization by nucleic acid-, antibody- and indicator host inoculation-based assays are desirable. 

INFORMATION ON SALARY AND 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:

Dr. Scott Adkins
USDA/ARS
2001 South Rock Road
Fort Pierce, FL 34945
Phone: 772-462-5885
Fax: 772-462-5986
Email: scott.adkins@ars.usda.gov