The incumbent is a Research Chemist in the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Bio-oils Research (BOR) Unit in Peoria, Illinois. The overall mission of BOR is to conduct basic and applied research on chemical, physical, and biochemical modification of new crop oils, gums, proteins, and other plant components to develop new industrial and value-added commercial products.

Duties

Develop new commercial technologies, processes, and biobased products for various markets including lubricant additives; lubricant base oils; and chemical additives. Develop novel and cost-competitive materials with chemical structures necessary for use as biobased additives for industrial fluids and base oils. Investigate tribological properties of novel biobased additives, base oils, and their formulations, and use the results to optimize the respective chemical structures. Develop structure-property models for predicting tribological properties from chemical and physical properties. Conduct research to develop new green technologies in the area of biolubricants. Analyze, interpret, and disseminate findings in the form of reports, presentations, and publications in scientific journals. Develop a stakeholder base to advocate for enhancing ARS research programs and to enable commercialization of new biobased products.

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 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. Basic Qualification 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., organic chemistry, chemical engineering, tribology, rheology, materials science, and lipid chemistry) OR 1 year (52 weeks) 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 independent research related to developing and measuring tribological properties from chemical and physical properties; AND Publishing research 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 (52 weeks) 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 developing and measuring tribological properties from chemical and physical properties; AND Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Presenting 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. GS-14: Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal Service. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-14 level are: Planning and conducting independent and collaborative research related to developing and measuring tribological properties from chemical and physical properties; 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 Writing project research plans, grant proposals, and/or patent applications. 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]