This position is in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization, Plains Area (PA), Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center, Cereal Crops Research Unit located in Fargo, ND. In this position, you will assist the Research Leader of the Cereal Crops Research Unit and serve as part of a research team focused on small grains molecular genetics, plant molecular biology, and genomics research.

Duties

Schedules tasks and coordinates them with co-workers and cooperators to make optimum use of research equipment. Carries out measurements and analyses by applying established or modified methods; performs tests and assays. Maintains records of hazardous materials use and disposal in accordance with requirements. Practices and enforces responsible safe laboratory practices; follows established safety guidelines; and disseminates safety standards to all staff. Analyzes progress of experiments and results and evaluates data according to established principles and procedures. Performs a full range of research experiments and related duties in support of the Unit’s work to solve complex plant molecular biology/genetic and genomic research problems. Writes periodic laboratory reports including discussion on experimental design, principle, procedures, and results.

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: genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics. Graduate Education: Genetics, or a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on genetics. Graduate study in related fields such as agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and physiology that involved cross-training in genetics is qualifying, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on genetics. Evaluation of Education: Most students in the field take graduate work because specific training in genetics may be limited at the undergraduate level. Under these circumstances, it may be necessary to evaluate undergraduate course work in genetics in one of two ways, as described below, to determine whether or not it is qualifying. Courses dealing with genetics, some phase of genetics, or specific techniques that are applied in genetics work are acceptable. This includes courses in genetics, plant or animal genetics, molecular and cellular biology, mathematics and statistics (as they apply to genetics), population dynamics, and certain techniques such as those dealing with irradiation. Course work consisting of an appropriate combination of basic courses in genetics and cytology or statistics are also acceptable. In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must also meet the following minimum qualification requirements: 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. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: 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 perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience collecting, organizing, or recording experimental data; performing experiments related to plant genetics; and enforcing safe laboratory practices. OR Education: Successful completion of 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree if related. Related degrees include graduate study in agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, or physiology. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. GS-11 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-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience performing plant genetic research in a laboratory environment; training others on the methods, procedures, or equipment used in the laboratory; preparing data for scientific reports or manuscripts; and collecting and evaluating samples related to plant genetics. OR Education: Successful completion of3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree if related. Related degrees include study in agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, or physiology. OR A combination of education and 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 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Jared Foret
• Phone: 7032599390
• Email: [email protected]