The incumbent serves as a Research Physiologist/Animal Scientist in the Livestock Behavior Research Unit in West Lafayette, Indiana. The incumbent will conduct research on how stress and management practices of swine affect behavior and physiology and its relationship to animal welfare and productivity. This research addresses National Program 101, Food Animal Production.

Duties

Utilize behavioral and/or physiological analyses to quantify changes in swine stress responses that affect their welfare and productivity outcomes. Develop objective measures of swine welfare that are science-based and informative under industry conditions and practices. Determine the impact of production practices and/or environmental factors on swine welfare and productivity. Develop and use new technologies and/or best practices to improve swine welfare under commercial production conditions.

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: Applicants must meet the basic requirements for at least one of the series described below: Physiology Series 0413 Individual Occupational Requirements Degree: in one of the basic animal sciences or physiology; or a related discipline or field of science that included at least 24 semester hours in the basic animal sciences, of which 10 semester hours were in animal physiology. Animal Science Series 0487 Individual Occupational Requirements Degree: animal science, dairy science, poultry science; or a related discipline or field of animal science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic biological and agricultural sciences, and 20 semester hours in animal science. For animal scientist positions, at least 10 of the required 20 semester hours in animal science must have been in courses dealing with the breeding, feeding, production, and management of livestock, and the care and preparation of their products. For dairy scientist positions, at least 10 of the required 20 semester hours in animal science must have been in dairy science. For poultry scientist positions, at least 10 of the required 20 semester hours in animal science must have been in poultry science. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in the basic biological and agricultural sciences, including a minimum of 20 semester hours in appropriate animal science subjects, as described in (A) above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 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 directly related to the duties of the position (i.e., animal science, physiology (animal)) 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. 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. 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 at the GS-12 level are: Conducting research related to the behavior and physiology of swine; AND Publishing research in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings, either in person or virtually. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-13 level are: Conducting independent research related to the behavior and physiology of swine: AND Publishing research findings in scientific peer-reviewed journals as primary author; AND Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings, either in person or virtually; AND Experience interacting with stakeholder groups to address swine welfare issues. 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 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Elsa Ayala
• Phone: 202-819-4681
• Email: [email protected]