Research Plant Pathologist

The American Phytopathological Society (APS); Frederick (MD); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Northeast Area, Foreign Disease Weed Science Research Unit, located on Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland, seeks candidates for three permanent Research Plant Pathologist positions at GS-12, GS-13, or GS-14 levels.

This unit conducts high-containment research on foreign plant pathogens and weeds to protect U.S. agriculture, health, and the environment. U.S. Citizenship is required; Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualifications

• Degree in plant pathology or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
• Experience with plant pathogen research, seed pathology, plant virology, and applying advanced methods to solve agricultural problems is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research on foreign, invasive, and/or newly emerging plant pathogens and health threats to U.S. agriculture.
• Investigate pathogen biology, diversity, transmission, host range, emergence, and development of advanced tools and methods for plant health protection.

Job description

Position: Research Plant Pathologist

Salary Range: $102,415 to $187,093 per year

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Northeast Area, Foreign Disease Weed Science Research Unit located on Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland

The Foreign Disease Weed Science Research Unit seeks highly qualified candidates for three permanent, full-time Research Plant Pathologist positions at the GS-12, GS-13, or GS-14 levels. The mission of this unit is to provide responsive high-containment research that secures the nation’s food supply, agricultural economy, and environmental health against the threat of invasive foreign plant diseases and weeds.

These positions will conduct independent research on foreign, invasive, and/or newly emerging plant pathogens and associated plant health threats to U.S. agriculture. Research assignments address plant pathogens and their interactions with plants, vectors, seeds, weeds, alternate hosts, associated microorganisms, and the environment.

Research may involve pathogen biology, diversity, transmission, host range, emergence, survival, detection, risk assessment, and the development of advanced methods, technologies, and tools to support plant health protection. Work may emphasize seed-borne pathogens and seed health, plant viruses and vector interactions, or pathogens and associated microorganisms affecting invasive weeds and alternate hosts.

Research will be conducted in a Biological Safety Level 3 Plant Pathogen Containment Facility. Work involving foreign, regulated, high-consequence, and/or Select Agent plant pathogens may require select agent clearance, medical clearance, drug testing, and compliance with applicable biosafety, biosecurity, quarantine, permit, and facility requirements.

This position requires a degree in plant pathology or related disciplines appropriate to the position, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Experience with plant pathogen research, seed pathology research, plant virology research, developing and/or applying advanced scientific methods and techniques that produced significant outcomes to solve complex agricultural problems is highly preferred.

The positions are full-time, permanent. A comprehensive benefits package is also available.

This vacancy is open from September 25, 2026, through October 26, 2026.

U.S. Citizenship is required.

USDA/ARS is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.