This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Plant Genetics Research Unit in Columbia, Missouri. In this position, you will actively participate in one or more phases of the research process related to plant genetics by performing a variety of specialized techniques in a laboratory or field environment.

Duties

Adapt, modify, or develop new techniques or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project. Perform biological techniques including DNA isolation, chemical phenotyping, cross hybridization of plants, and polymerase chain reaction analyses. Maintain records and locate and compile data and other information from various sources. Operate and maintain a variety of highly specialized complex equipment which must be calibrated and synchronized to achieve desired results. Determine the kind and frequency of tests and observations made, and the amount of data to be recorded.

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. 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 includes experience conducting an experiment or research project related to plants; recording and analyzing scientific data; and preparing scientific information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports. OR Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Biology, Plant Science, Molecular Biology, or Biochemistry. OR A combination of graduate level education and 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. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-08 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 includes experience designing and conducting biological research related to plant genetics; performing specialized techniques including cross hybridization of legume plants, PCR, chemical analyses with gas chromatography, or plant phenotyping; and operating and maintaining laboratory equipment or instruments used for research. OR Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Biology, Plant Science, Molecular Biology, or Biochemistry. OR A combination of graduate level 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.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Kayleigh Pfeiffer
• Phone: 703-995-9645
• Email: [email protected]