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The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, is seeking a POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE for a TWO YEAR APPOINTMENT. 

The incumbent will (1) monitor and identify changes in host and viral gene expression associated with the interference of alphabaculovirus replication by a co-infecting betabaculovirus in larvae of Helicoverpa zea; and (2) establish a cell culture system with H. zea cell lines to further study alphabaculovirus/betabaculovirus interactions.   

The position will be filled at the GS-11 level ($78,592 per annum, including locality pay, plus benefits).  The incumbent will have the opportunity to acquire skills and expertise in computational biology during this research.  Beltsville is part of the National Capitol Region, a metropolitan area consisting of Washington, D.C. and adjacent parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia and rich in science career opportunities.

Requirements for the position are the following:

• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a person lawfully admitted for permanent residence who is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B).
• The applicant must have received a Ph.D. in a relevant field (biochemistry, entomology, molecular biology, etc.) no more than 4 years prior to the start date of the position;

Send queries and application materials (a CV and cover letter describing your interest and research experience) to Dr. Robert Harrison, USDA/ARS Beltville Agricultural Research Center, Bldg. 007, Room 301, Beltsville, MD 20705, or e-mail to Robert.L.Harrison@usda.gov. 

USDA/ARS is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

About USDA-ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory

The mission of the Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory (IIBBL) is to conduct research on insect pests of agriculture and mitigate their threats to our Nation’s food and fiber. Using biological, molecular, chemical and non chemical approaches, scientists are developing new, cost-effective and sustainable strategies for controlling native insect pests and newly-introduced invasive species, such as the brown marmorated stink bug. An additional focus of the IIBBL is the discovery and development of methods to protect people from disease pathogens transmitted by medically-important insects and biting arthropods, such as the deer tick.

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