Research Plant Pathologist

These positions are located in the USDA, ARS, Northeast Area, Foreign Disease/Weed Science Research Unit in Frederick, MD. In these positions, you will conduct research of invasive plant pathogens and weeds that are foreign and/or newly emergent, utilizing unique biological containment facilities for their study.

Develops and conducts an independent research program on foreign, invasive, and/or newly emerging plant pathogens and associated plant health threats, including their biology, transmission, host range, emergence, and survival.

Investigates interactions among plant pathogens, host plants, vectors, seeds, weeds, associated microorganisms, and environmental factors, as appropriate to the assigned research program.

Plans and conducts laboratory, greenhouse, growth chamber, field, and/or biocontainment studies to characterize pathogens and associated plant health systems, including pathogen transmission, survival, and/or biological significance.

Develops, adapts, validates, and applies advanced scientific methods and technologies to characterize plant pathogens and associated risks, and develops tools to support research, detection, monitoring, and/or risk assessment.

Develops or evaluates approaches to reduce plant health risks, including pathogen exclusion, detection, mitigation, transmission interruption, management of pathogen reservoirs or alternate hosts, and/or suppression of pathogen-associated weeds.

Analyzes and communicates research findings through reports, presentations, publications, diagnostic or reference resources, technology transfer activities, and collaborations.

Conducts applicable research involving foreign, regulated, and/or high-consequence pathogens in specialized biocontainment facilities and supervises assigned support personnel.

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.