Subject: Part-time student positions available at USDA-ARS Beltsville Description: Part-time student positions available at USDA-ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Lab: US citizenship is required. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Freshmen can be hired at a GS2 level ($12.98/hr) with three or months of general work experience. Those with at least 6 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics, can be hired at a GS3 level that pays more ($14.16/hr). The project is about strawberry breeding and genetics with opportunities to learn basic skills and safety protocols in the field, greenhouse, and some in the lab, working with experienced technicians and scientists. Field work services the breeding project as well as the genetics projects and includes planting, maintaining, weeding, and harvesting strawberry plantings, packaging fruit for postharvest evaluation, flagging desirable plants, and maintaining plant identity through labeling and runner removal. Greenhouse work services the breeding project and includes transplanting seedlings, potting mother plants, pegging runners, fertilizing plants and managing pests with predator insects. Lab work services the breeding project through virus detection and DNA genotyping and starts with changing desiccant for collected dried leaves, and progresses to lab equipment maintenance, solution and media mixing, to PCR and RNA extractions. In addition to on-the-job experience, volunteers can have access to Ag-Learn, a USDA on-line training site that provides excellent on-line training in many diverse areas important for all jobs: internet security awareness, environmentally friendly waste management, diversity in the workplace, MS Office proficiency, lab safety, and many others. Please be willing to commit at a minimum from mid-May through mid-August, 7:00am-3:30pm. E-mail Dr. Kim Lewers ([log in to unmask]) with your available hours and resume; include contact information for listed references. Dr. Kim Lewers, USDA-ARS Research Geneticist (Plants) Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Lab Rm. 210, Bldg. 010A, BARC-West 10300 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350 Ph: 301-504-6768 Cl: 240-463-5654 Fx: 301-504-5062 Em: [log in to unmask] Contact Person: Dr. Kim Lewers ([log in to unmask]) Contact Email: [log in to unmask]