This position is located at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Sustainable Biofuels and Coproducts Research Unit (SBCP), Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC), Wyndmoor, PA. In this position, you will serve as a Research Chemist in the Sustainable Biofuels and Coproducts Research Unit (SBCP), in support of ARS National Program 306, Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products.

Duties

Manage research initiatives by formulating, planning, conducting, interpreting and disseminating independent research. Develop new or applying existing chemical methodology for converting bio-derived fermentation products (biopolymers and/or biosurfactants derived from agro-based by-products such as lignocellulosics, lipids and other process related resources. Collaborate on the development of chemical methodologies designed to modify the fermentation-derived bio-products with respect to chemical structure, property manipulation, and structure/property relationships. Perform analyses on developed materials including but not limited to tensile testing, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermal property analysis, emulsion stability evaluation, rheometry, and tensiometry.

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.
• 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/
• Successful completion of a three year probationary period.

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: course work equivalent to a major as shown in A 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. Additional Requirements In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-12: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or possess an equivalent combination of graduate level education and experience. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level of this position are: conducting independent research in the synthesis of polymers or surfactants, particularly those that are bio-based; characterizing polymers, surfactants, and materials; and publishing authoritative and technical research results in the form of manuscripts, reports, patents, and presenting this information at scientific and technical meetings. GS-13: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level of this position are: leading group efforts and conducting independent research related to synthesis of polymers and surfactants, particularly those that are bio-based; developing processes and catalysts for the chemical modification of bio-based products; characterizing polymers, surfactants, and materials; publishing authoritative and technical research results in the form of manuscripts, reports, patents, and presenting this information at scientific and technical meetings; and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance research efforts and writing grant proposals to expand existing programs. 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. To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications. Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 10300 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Ehila Melton
• Phone: 5716694043
• Email: [email protected]