This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Cereal Crops Research Unit in Madison, WI. In this position, you will actively participate in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of technical duties in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment.

Duties

Performs routine and recurring techniques with equipment and automated system as needed for testing and evaluating materials. Enters and organizes scientific data in computer software such as Excel. Disposes of waste material both chemical and biological. Prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse. Contributes to the planning of various steps in experiments or projects and to interpretation and documentation of findings. Performs a wide range of high-throughput molecular biology analyses including DNA and RNA isolation and sequencing, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis, and extraction of metabolites. Cultures microbes, bacteria and fungi using aseptic techniques. Sets up and maintains experimental plantings in the greenhouse, growth chamber, and/or field settings, including pest management and data collection. Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies samples from fungi, bacteria, and infected plant materials. Maintains, calibrates, and modifies equipment for test and evaluation procedures.

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 probationary 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/

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. GS-07 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-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 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 participating in a research project; statistically analyzing or summarizing data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include: Biology, Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Botany, Plant Biology, Agricultural Science or Food Science. OR A combination of graduate level education and experience as described above. GS-08 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-08 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 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 participating in one or more phases of a research process; collecting or preparing samples; and operating, maintaining, calibrating, or modifying specialized equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include: Biology, Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Botany, Plant Biology, Agricultural Science or Food Science. OR A combination of graduate level education and 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: Frances Ozyurt
• Phone: 703-259-9383
• Email: [email protected]