This position is located in the USDA, ARS, Plains Area, Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center, Sugarbeet Research Unit in Fargo, ND. In this position, you will serve as a Research Chemist and will conduct research focused on the development of innovative and integrative strategies and novel management tools that minimize economic losses from Cercospora leaf spot and other important diseases of sugarbeet that impact yield, postharvest storage-related characteristics, or marketability.

Duties

Work independently but coordinate research activities with other scientists in the Management Unit, researchers at North Dakota State University, and elsewhere as part of a national cooperative research program to improve sugarbeet production. Develop basic information on the chemical interaction between sugarbeet and important sugarbeet pathogens using chemical, biochemical, and molecular biological approaches in fundamental and applied research. Identify critical industry problems, conceive feasible project objectives, and research approaches to address these problems. Conduct independent or collaborative research as necessary and report experimental findings to the industry and scientific community.

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 Chemistry Series, 1320 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 Combination of education and experience: course work equivalent to a major as shown 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 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 chemical or biochemical research related to fungal or bacterial systems; analyzing experimental data; and publishing research findings 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 designing and conducting collaborative research focused on plant or microbe natural product chemistry; providing mentorship or guidance to other scientific personnel; analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders on research of mutual interest. 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 leading a collaborative research program focused on plant or fungal natural product chemistry; publishing independent research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; presenting research findings at professional meetings; developing experimental approaches to investigate plant disease management strategies; managing funds on research grants; ensuring the development of well-trained scientific and technical staff; and collaborating with a diverse group of scientists and industry stakeholders. GS-15: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 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-15 level of this position are: Experience formulating, executing, and leading a multidisciplinary research program focused on plant or fungal natural product chemistry; publishing independent research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; managing funds on research grants; developing new approaches and technologies to manage fungal or bacterial pathogens; providing guidance to technicians and stakeholders in accomplishing research objectives; developing collaborative relationships with other university, industry, and government laboratories; and serving as Principal Investigator on collaborative research grants. 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 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Sydney Teague
• Phone: 703-259-9455
• Email: [email protected]