The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Pacific West Area is seeking highly qualified candidates for a temporary full-time Research Affiliate for the Western Regional Research Center, Genomics & Gene Discovery Research Unit in Albany, CA. Salary Range of $56,172-$73,019. The incumbent will develop a population of sequence-indexed insertional mutants in the model grass *Brachypodium distachyon.

*This project to develop community resources is part of a 3-year grant funded by the U.S. Dept. of Energy to expand our T-DNA collection. Please visit our website for background information http://brachypodium.pw.usda.gov/. The incumbent will work closely with a group of *Brachypodium *researchers working in several areas including natural diversity (resequencing and phenomics) and the characterization of cell wall mutants. The T-DNA population will also be screened for phenotypes relevant to biomass production. The ultimate goal of the lab is to gain the knowledge necessary to optimize grasses for use as an alternative, environmentally friendly source of fuel.

A Ph.D. in molecular biology or related biological science is required. Knowledge of plants and tissue culture are desirable. Applicants must be either U.S. citizens or from a country with defense agreements with the U.S. (Check our website http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/jobs/VISA/Countries.htm for more details.) For more information on the position, please contact Dr. John Vogel at 510-559-6117 or john.vogel@ars.usda.gov.

To apply, print a copy of vacancy announcement *ARS-RF-11-001* from the USAJOBS Website and follow the application directions provided. http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=91641312&JobTitle=Molecular+Biologist+%28Research+Affiliate%29&q=RF-11-001&where=&brd=3876&vw=b&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y&x=0&y=0&AVSDM=2010-10-22+11%3a10%3a00

This position is open until filled or Dec. 31, 2010. *USDA/ARS is an equal opportunity employer and provider.*