This position is in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization, Pacific West Area (PWA), Western Regional Research Center, Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit located in Albany, CA. In this position, you will assist in conducting research to enhance food safety and biosecurity by developing new methods for analysis of toxins and bacteria in foods, and new strategies to reduce or eliminate mycotoxin contamination of agricultural commodities.

Duties

Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment including microscopes, flow cytometer, FPLC, plate readers, Bioplex 200, KinExA, etc. Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records. Maintains inventory of chemicals, stock solutions, etc., prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological). Actively participates in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory and contributes ideas towards the planning and sequencing of the technical aspects of the research. Independently searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory.

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 trial 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. 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-06 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 maintaining animals for research purposes; analyzing research data for reports; and performing routine laboratory techniques using a variety of specialized equipment. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees or courses may include Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology or Cell Biology. OR A combination of education and specialized experience as described above. GS-08 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-08 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 assisting in research projects related to tissue culture, cell lines, or in vitro cell culture; handling animal samples in a laboratory; and recording scientific data from a research project. OR Education: Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology or Cell Biology. OR A combination of graduate level 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 800 Buchanan Street Albany, CA 94710 US
• Name: Jared Foret
• Phone: 7032599390
• Email: [email protected]