This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Sugarbeet and Potato Research Unit in Fargo, ND.

In this position, you will conduct fundamental research with a strong focus on improving the quality and profitability of potato production through fundamental research on germplasm enhancement, crop protection, and post harvest physiology.

Duties

• Perform leading research addressing postharvest deterioration of potato tubers and improvement of postharvest storage, processing, nutritional, and market quality to meet industry needs.
• Identify and characterize physiological processes (e.g., abiotic stress resistance, starch accumulation, biomass accumulation, nitrogen and water use efficiency, nutrient utilization) affecting potato tuber growth and postharvest physiology.
• Identify and characterize environmental factors (e.g., soil characteristics, agricultural practices) affecting potato tuber growth and their impact on postharvest physiology.
• Identify novel targets that can be utilized for developing improved methods to reduce postharvest deterioration and enhance maintenance of nutrition and market qualities of stored potatoes.
• Methods of achieving research objectives include techniques of chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, food science and other technologies as appropriate.
• Develop collaborations and communicate technical information pertaining to potatoes grown for consumption or seed with a variety of individuals.
• Collect, analyze, and summarize technical information pertaining to new knowledge of the physiology affecting potato used for consumption or seed.
• Prepare written work products based on research to be reviewed and/or published in professional articles, publications, and technical abstracts.
• Manage a research program, including personnel, equipment and fiscal resources following agency's mission and scientific procedures, requirements and protocols.
• Supervise employees, to include setting performance standards, monitoring performance and guiding subordinates.