This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Southeast Area (SEA), at the Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans, LA. In this position, you will optimize aquaculture product quality and uniformity that leads to an increase in consumer demand and increase the profitability of the fish industry.

Duties

Investigate and identify management practices that lead to improved quality in fish. Determine how novel feed ingredients and feeding practices impact growth, yield, and product quality. Develop mitigation strategies for issues that result in reduced quality fish. Conduct collaborative research investigate interrelationships between feeding and production practices, biochemistry, and eating quality of the resulting fish products. Work with other scientists in the research unit to help resolve fillet quality issues that arise from various rearing strategies.

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 for Fish Biology Series, 0482: Degree: Applicants must show that they have a degree with major study in biology, zoology, or biological oceanography that included at least 30 semester hours in biological and aquatic science and 15 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences. This course work must have included: At least 15 semester hours of preparatory training in zoology beyond introductory biology or zoology in such courses as invertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, histology, physiology, embryology, advanced vertebrate zoology, genetics, entomology, and parasitology; and At least 6 semester hours of training applicable to fishery biology in such subjects as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, oceanography, algology, planktonology, marine or fresh water ecology, invertebrate ecology, principles of fishery population dynamics, or related course work in the field of fishery biology; and At least 15 semester hours of training in any combination of two or more of the following: chemistry, physics, mathematics, or statistics. 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: Experience conducting research related to aquaculture of finned fish; evaluating and interpreting research results; and publishing independent research findings related to aquaculture in peer-reviewed scientific journals. 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: Experience planning and conducting research related to aquaculture of finned fish; developing new and innovative methods and approaches for studying fish aquaculture and its relationship to the quality of the edible portions of the fish; ensuring the development of well-trained scientific and technical staff; collaborating with internal and external stakeholders; and publishing independent research findings related to aquaculture in peer-reviewed scientific journals. 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: Experience planning, conducting, and leading a collaborative team research program related to fish aquaculture and its relationship to the quality of the edible portions of the fish; managing research projects such as personnel, equipment, and fiscal resources; collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, such as universities and private veterinary or industrial institutions; developing and applying new techniques that improve or optimize water quality or fish performance; collaborating with internal and external stakeholders; presenting research findings at professional meetings; and publishing independent research findings related to aquaculture in peer-reviewed scientific journals. 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 141 Experimental Station Road Stoneville, MS 38776 US
• Name: Juliana Hensley
• Phone: (571) 669-3483
• Email: [email protected]