The candidate serves as a Research Fellow within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The candidate will be highly motivated, innovative and possess a strong quantitative background in spatial processes and genetics of populations and/or diseases. The candidate will also have strong interpersonal skills and be interested in collaborating with wildlife service operations and other agencies within APHIS.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Develop new statistical models for predicting the spatial spread of pest invasions, and identifying predictors of spatial spread, by jointly considering genetic and ecological data. Develop quantitative decision models for optimizing management of pests in space and time. Develop quantitative models for assessing the potential effectiveness and risk of genetic tools such as gene drive for controlling pest populations. Perform risk assessment of spatial invasions of pests, genetic elements, and/or diseases. Determine optimal pest management solutions in spatially structured populations. Develop policies for novel biotechnologies that could be used in pest management. Manage independently or in consultation with supervisor multiple research projects related to wildlife disease and damage management. Work closely with the supervisor to develop the research collaboratively with managers, policy-makers, and/or regulators, and to communicate progress and results broadly within APHIS. May also be expected to prepare internal reports of results for stakeholders.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male 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 one-year trial period.
• The work will require average agility and dexterity, and the ability to operate a computer for long periods.

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 REQUIREMENT: Degree: In biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to the above, applicants must also have: FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Developed statistical, genetic, or simulation models of spatial processes in wildlife populations and wildlife disease transmission. Regular use (in multiple projects) of a programming language (e.g., R, Matlab, Python, C++, or similar) to write scripts or functions that run simulation models or statistical inference routines, develop software packages, and/or develop user-friendly visualizations from complex models. Led research studies from conception through reporting of final products, where the studies involve developing modeling approaches that integrate disparate data types including ecological, disease diagnostic and/or genetic data for use by practitioners such as wildlife managers, regulators, or policy decision-makers. Communicated technical information from complex mathematical models, both orally and in writing to diverse audiences of practitioners in wildlife management, disease management, and/or conservation. Led peer-reviewed articles, including more than one first author articles. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. 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 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]