This position is located in the USDA, ARS, Human Nutrition Research Center Unit in Davis, CA. In this position, you will be assisting in research experiments by performing physical tests and laboratory analysis of human biological samples; assisting in chemical experiments by performing physical tests and laboratory analysis; performing routine and reoccurring chemistry techniques using a variety of laboratory instruments; and keeping detailed records of experimental data.

Duties

Performs experiments which are designed to provide answers for specific research problem areas. Selects the proper methods and procedures according to the experimental design. Carries out measurements and analyses by applying established chemical and biochemical methods. Maintains general laboratory cleanliness, supplies, and materials. Searches literature for methods to meet assigned objectives. Analyzes the results according to established principles and procedures. Writes periodic laboratory reports discussing experimental procedures and results. Maintains official laboratory notebooks in accordance with good laboratory practices. Undertakes routine care, maintenance, and calibration of moderately complex laboratory instruments, e.g., centrifuges, plate readers, and UV-VIS spectrometer. Calibrates and operates standard and sophisticated analytical instrumentation and equipment, e.g., clinical chemistry and immunoassay analyzers and scintillation and gamma counters.

Requirements

• 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.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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

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: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR Combination of education and experience - related course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience, or additional education. AND In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must also meet the following minimum qualification requirements: GS-07 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience assisting in research experiments by performing physical tests and laboratory analysis of human biological samples; assisting in chemical experiments by performing physical tests and laboratory analysis; performing routine and reoccurring chemistry techniques using a variety of laboratory instruments; and keeping detailed records of experimental data. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, food science, biochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. OR Superior Academic Achievement: Completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.): Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. S.A.A. is based on (1) Class Standing - applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses; or (2) Grade-Point Average - applicants must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) Election to membership in a National Honor Society - membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. OR A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above. GS-09 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. Qualifying experience for GS-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience performing physical tests and laboratory analysis of human biological samples; performing clinical chemistry and immunoassay tests, radioimmunoassays, and other quantitative analysis of human biological samples; using software packages to tabulate, statistically analyze and summarize data; and maintaining inventory of chemicals. OR Education: Successful completion of two full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, food science, biochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. OR A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 800 Buchanan Street Albany, CA 94710 US
• Name: Kendra Bledsoe
• Phone: 7032599425
• Email: [email protected]