This position is in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Animal Disease Center (NADC), Director's Office located in Ames, Iowa. In this position, you will carry out the full range of routine tests, procedures, activities, performance and development of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) projects, specific experiments, analyses, and measurements in support of the research project objectives.

Duties

Performs a wide range of duties designed to solve complex biological research problems related to HPAI projects including coordination. Maintains equipment and instrumentation in optimal condition, performing routine and preventive maintenance, calibration, and minor repairs. Assists with performance of virologic methods, tissue culture, antibody or cell mediated immune assays, molecular techniques, diagnostic assays, animal models (bovine, swine, ferret), biocontainment, data management, and record keeping. Assists in identifying proper experimental approaches in HPAI research projects. Reviews scientific literature and selects principles, methods, and procedures most appropriate to meet research goals. Carries out measurements and analyses by applying established or modified methods for HPAI projects. Prepares results of experimental findings conducted, including initial interpretation of significance to the overall project goals, for inclusion in manuscripts, technical reports, meeting posters, oral presentations, and progress reports. Assists with issues related to animal and laboratory space needs and room modification issues.

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 trial 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/
• SAC and full background investigation required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities.

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 Degree: 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND In addition to the basic requirement listed above, all applicants must also meet the following minimum qualification requirements: 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-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 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 coordinating efforts between laboratories to support research objectives; conducting biological experiments related to infectious diseases or pathogens; and assisting in identifying proper experimental approaches for research projects. OR Education: Successful completion of 3 years of Ph.D. education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent graduate degree in a field directly related to the duties of the position. Related degrees may include microbiology, biology, molecular biology, computational biology, immunology, genetics, or biomedical sciences. OR A combination of Ph.D. level education and specialized experience 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: Jared Foret
• Phone: 7032599390
• Email: [email protected]