This position is located with the Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, Illinois. In this position you will support research in the Renewable Product Technology Research Unit. The overall mission of RPT is to develop technologies that employ a variety of chemical, microbial, biochemical, and genetic approaches for converting agricultural materials into new marketable, sustainable, and environmentally acceptable value-added products.

Duties

Maintains inventory of chemicals, prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory. Performs microbiological studies with bacteria and fungi. Performs molecular biological techniques, such as DNA/RNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction and gene cloning. Performs protein purification and characterization. Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies samples and supporting records. Performs routine and recurring techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment. Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources.

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-5 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-05 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04 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 assisting in experiments collecting biological or chemical samples; recording scientific data; and operating basic laboratory equipment. OR Education: A full 4-year course of study above the high school level leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position being filled. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, Plant Pathology or Veterinary Science. OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. GS-6 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-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 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 preparing research samples; compiling and summarizing data from experiments; and using microbiology or molecular biology techniques in a laboratory environment. 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 may include Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, Plant Pathology or Veterinary Science. OR A combination of specialized experience and education 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 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Tamicka Johnson
• Phone: (703) 259-9323
• Email: [email protected]