Research Physiologist, USDA ARS WArmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

The USDA, ARS, Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit (WARU) is located in Stoneville, Mississippi at the Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center. The Unit’s mission is to develop technologies that improve the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of fish farming in the United States through the development of improved fish strains and hybrids and the development of improved production technologies.
We currently seek Ph.D. applicants for a permanent, full time position as a Research Physiologist. The candidate will focus on aspects of reproductive physiology in channel and blue catfish such as: Identifying physiological mechanisms that control reproduction in ictalurid catfishes; Developing strategies that lead to improved reproductive performance in aquaculture settings; Developing physiological criteria for the assessment of genetic variation in commercially important traits; Determining factors that control age at maturity in blue and channel catfish and developing strategies for reducing age at maturity and generation interval; and Determining factors that influence channel x blue F1 hybrid catfish embryo development and mortality. Catfish farming is the largest sector of commercial aquaculture in the U.S., and the WARU is located in the heart of the US catfish industry. Research progress will directly impact the industry.
The incumbent will join a collaborative team of USDA and university scientists and staff who are focused on improving catfish production. The WARU is co-located with research units of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) and MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as the MSU Extension Service (Home | Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center (msstate.edu).

Duties

Identify physiological mechanisms controlling reproduction in ictalurid catfishes.
Develop strategies that lead to improved reproductive performance in aquaculture settings. Development of physiological criteria for the assessment of genetic variation in commercially important traits.
Improve egg quality in female blue and channel catfish utilized for induced ovulation.
Determine factors controlling age at maturity in blue and channel catfish and develop strategies for reducing age at maturity and generation interval.
Identify environmental factors (such as nutrition and disease status) that influence catfish reproduction.
Determine factors that influence channel x blue F1 hybrid catfish embryo development and mortality.
Develop technologies to improve reproductive performance of ictalurid catfishes in aquaculture.

Methodologies include standard biochemical, endocrine, and molecular biology techniques in animal models, as well as cellular, molecular, and functional genomic approaches.

Job Type: Staff
Application deadline: 08/30/2023
Organization: Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit
Qualifications: Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/ Successful completion of a three year probationary period. Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Basic Requirements Degree: in one of the basic animal sciences or physiology; or a related discipline or field of science that included at least 24 semester hours in the basic animal sciences, of which 10 semester hours were in animal physiology. Evaluation of Education: Courses such as anatomy; cytology; invertebrate and vertebrate zoology; embryology; entomology; animal, dairy, and poultry husbandry; nutrition; genetics; and physiology may be used to meet the 24-semester-hour requirement in the basic animal sciences. Courses in physiology, animal or human physiology, cellular physiology, or courses that were well oriented toward animal or human physiology, e.g., some advanced courses in biochemistry, are qualifying as animal physiology courses. Courses in related fields such as cytology and microbiology (including microbial physiology) may also be qualifying, provided the course work dealt directly with the application of scientific principles underlying animal physiology, or with the methodology and techniques applied in animal physiology work. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications.
How to apply: Apply at website: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/739936100
Location: Stoneville, MS
Web address: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/739936100

Contact Information:
Kendra Bledsoe

kendra.bledsoe@usda.gov