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

ANNOUNCEMENT NO: RA-05-019L

POSITION: Research Molecular Biologist/Geneticist (Insects)

LOCATION: Kerrville, TX

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: The proposed project will involve the generation of genomic and proteomic data to lead to the identification of tick midgut genes involved in the role of the southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus, as a vector of cattle fever. A B. microplus cDNA library using Babesia bovis-infected tick midguts will be synthesized. To enrich for Babesia infection-associated cDNAs, the library will be subtracted with uninfected tick RNA of the same strain and lifestage tissues used for preparing the infected sample. As the first phase of the project, 1000 ESTs from the library will be sequenced and analyzed with available bioinformatics software to determine putative identity and function. It is anticipated that a significant percentage of the ESTs will not be identifiable by this initial largely automated bioinformatics approach and will require manual annotation. A second phase will involve the development of a database of the B. microplus midgut proteome utilizing 2-dimensional PAGE.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Recent Ph.D. with dissertation research in biochemistry, molecular biology or genetics is required. Documented skill in RNA isolation, PCR, bioinformatics and protein analysis will be necessary for successfully achieving project milestones.

INFORMATION ON 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. Felix D. Guerrero, USDA/ARS
Knipling-Bushland U. S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory
2700 Fredericksburg Rd.
Kerrville, TX 78028
Phone: 830-792-0308
Fax: 830-792-0314
Email: Felix.Guerrero@ars.usda.gov