The mission is to provide solutions to the dairy industry for food security, environmental sustainability, and economic viability. The focus will include basic physiological and/or immunological factors in animal and rumen development that support the productivity and longevity of dairy cows through improved developmental nutrition and health and to address key knowledge gaps in the interplay of microbial, physiological, environmental, and other factors in developing dairy heifers.

Duties

Characterize transcriptome and rumen microbial community changes in Holstein and/or Jersey heifers during development in pasture-based and/or controlled environments and in response to dietary changes. Evaluate the relationships and interactions between rumen microbiome development in the heifer and diverse genetic, environmental and management factors. Examine associations with increases in nutrient use efficiency, milk yield, and health challenges observed in their primiparous and multiparous lactation cycles. Utilize methods of next-generation DNA sequencing, transcriptomics, and other molecular genetic approaches in combination with bioinformatics, multivariate statistical analysis, and network analysis tools. Identify associations between gene expression and microbial community changes with nutrient use efficiency, milk yield, and animal health.

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. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Minimum qualification requirements are found in the OPM Qualification Standards Operating Manual for General Schedule Positions. Qualification requirements must be identified for each grade level advertised. Requirements for Microbiology Series (0403) Basic Requirements Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Requirements for Genetics Series (0440) Basic Requirements Degree: genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics. Requirements for Animal Series (0487) Basic Requirements Degree: animal science, dairy science, poultry science; or a related discipline or field of animal science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic biological and agricultural sciences, and 20 semester hours in animal science. For animal scientist positions, at least 10 of the required 20 semester hours in animal science must have been in courses dealing with the breeding, feeding, production, and management of livestock, and the care and preparation of their products. For dairy scientist positions, at least 10 of the required 20 semester hours in animal science must have been in dairy science. For poultry scientist positions, at least 10 of the required 20 semester hours in animal science must have been in poultry science. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in the basic biological and agricultural sciences, including a minimum of 20 semester hours in appropriate animal science subjects, as described in A above, 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. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-12 level are: Conducting research related to rumen, gastrointestinal tract, or other tissue/organ microbiome development in animals; AND Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings, either in person or virtually. 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: Conducting independent research related to rumen, gastrointestinal tract, or other tissue/organ microbiome development in animals; AND Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals related to livestock production, animal development, physiology, genetics, and/or microbiomes; AND Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings, either in person or virtually; AND Experience supervising staff to accomplish research objectives. GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 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-14 level of this position are: Planning and conducting independent research related to rumen, gastrointestinal tract, or other tissue/organ, microbiome development in animals; AND Experience publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals related to livestock production, animal development, physiology, and genetics, and/or microbiomes; AND Being invited to present research findings at scientific conferences, either in person or virtually; AND Experience supervising staff to accomplish a variety of research objectives; AND Working 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 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Jessica Lang
• Phone: 3092731525
• Email: [email protected]