This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Northeast Area (NEA), at the Eastern Regional Research Center in Wyndmoor, PA. In this position, you will be responsible for a combination of basic and applied chemical and agricultural research to develop new processes for producing high-quality bio-based products from agricultural commodities and agricultural processing by-products.

Duties

Manage research initiatives by formulating, planning, conducting, interpreting and disseminating independent research. Develop new or apply existing chemical methodology for modifying bio-derived fermentation products, including polymers and surfactants, to improve their properties for industrially relevant applications. Perform analysis of the relevant physical, material, and chemical properties of novel bioproducts. Analyze, interpret, and disseminate findings in the form of reports, presentations, and publications in scientific journals. Develop and/or maintain 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.
• 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: conducting independent research in the synthesis of polymers or surfactants, particularly those that are bio-based; and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals related to chemistry. 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: conducting independent research related to synthesis of polymers and surfactants, particularly those that are bio-based; developing processes and catalysts for the chemical modification of bio-based products; characterizing polymers, surfactants, and materials; and publishing authoritative and technical research results in the form of manuscripts, reports, patents. 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: developing, planning, and conducting research in the area of bio-based polymers and surfactants; developing new or applying existing methodology for converting fermentation-based microbial products; evaluating and characterizing polymer and surfactant performance and properties; publishing authoritative and technical research results in the form of manuscripts, reports, patents; and presenting research findings to scientists or industry stakeholders. 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 10300 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Juliana Hensley
• Phone: (571) 669-3483
• Email: [email protected]