This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Emerging Pests & Pathogens Research Unit in Ithaca, NY. In this position, you will participate in growing fungi and other microbes in sterile culture to conduct bioassays in interaction with insects and plants and isolating DNA for genomic sequencing. This is a term, time-limited appointment with an initial duration no less than 13 months and can be extended up to a total of 4 years.

Duties

Adapt, modify, or develop new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project. Collect, prepare, evaluate, and verify samples and supporting records. Maintain records and locate and compile data and other information from various sources. Perform DNA/RNA extraction. Maintain, calibrate, and modify complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used 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 trial 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-06 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-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 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 experience preparing and analyzing research projects related to microbiological or molecular analyses of biological or environmental samples in a laboratory setting; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: 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 Entomology, Plant Pathology, Plant Sciences, Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Microbiology, or Molecular Biology. OR A combination of graduate-level education and experience as described above. 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 experience participating in a research project related to microbes, insects or plants; performing DNA/RNA extraction; and operating laboratory equipment and automated systems used in a molecular biology or microbiology research project. OR Education: 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 Entomology, Plant Pathology, Plant Sciences, Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Microbiology, or Molecular Biology. 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 experience performing complex molecular biology procedures such as RNA extraction and quantitative real-time PCR; troubleshooting of difficult DNA extractions; preparing scientific data to be included in manuscripts or reports; and managing laboratory equipment and automated systems used in a molecular biology or microbiology research project. OR Education: Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Entomology, Plant Pathology, Plant Sciences, Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Microbiology, or Molecular Biology. 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 10300 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Jaleesa Desormeaux
• Phone: 7032599367
• Email: jaleesa.desormeaux@usda.gov