The incumbent serves as a Research Chemist in the Bio-Oils Research Unit (BOR), National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), Peoria, Illinois. The focus of BOR is developing new technology for using vegetable oils as renewable sources for value-added industrial products. The assigned project is "New High-Value Biobased Materials with Applications Across Industry." The incumbent provides expertise in biobased polymeric materials and plant oils.

Duties

Evaluate the effects of chemical and processing conditions on the physical and chemical properties of newly modified materials from vegetable oils (emphasis on soybean oil). Evaluate the performance, as well as economic and environmental benefits, in industrial applications. Develop improved performance of industrial products and interrelated structure/property relationships. Apply the principles of Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) or similar framework to quantitatively assess the environmental and economic sustainability of developed renewable products or technologies and potential benefits. Provide expertise on synthesis, analysis, characterization, structure/function relationships, and industrial applications of biobased materials to Research Leader, Lead Scientist, collaborators, ARS Office of National Programs, and stakeholders. Analyze, interpret, and disseminate research findings in the form of reports, presentations, and publications in scientific journals.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. 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 a 3-year probationary period.
• 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. Individual Occupational Requirements - Basic Requirements for Chemistry Series, 1320 A. 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 B. 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 for the series described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. GS-12: Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the duties of the position (e.g., degree with research focused on organic chemistry, chemical engineering, lipid chemistry, or analytical chemistry) OR 1 year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service OR a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-12 level are: Conducting research related to biobased polymeric materials and developing commercial uses of vegetable oils, lipids, and their derivatives, and to increase the market value of these commodities; 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 have 1 year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-13 level are: Leading group efforts and conducting independent research related to biobased polymeric materials and developing commercial uses of vegetable oils, lipids, and their derivatives, and to increase the market value of these commodities; AND Publishing research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Being invited to present research findings at scientific conferences, either in person or virtually; AND Working with stakeholders to enhance research efforts and/or 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. 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: Heather Lee
• Phone: 301-956-3803
• Email: [email protected]