Summary
This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service, National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, Zoonotic and Emerging Disease Research Unit in Manhattan, KS. Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology.
Duties
- Conducts team research on tick vector ecology, population genetics, and vector competency for high-consequence zoonotic pathogens.
- Plans, coordinates, and executes multidisciplinary research activities of assigned and collaborating scientists, preparing annual project plans and reports.
- Integrates knowledge from molecular biology, immunology, and veterinary medicine to evaluate host-pathogen interactions and transmission.
- Develops novel approaches and modifies existing technologies to characterize host responses to infections at molecular, cellular, and animal levels.
- Provides technical and administrative supervision to a Biological Science Technician, including selection, work assignment, and performance evaluation.
- Executes research protocols safely within low and high-containment facilities, adhering to strict BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 biosafety regulations.
- Conducts collaborative research using molecular and genomic tools to characterize arthropod-borne pathogen transmission and host-pathogen interactions.
- Manages laboratory resources, personnel, and high-containment workflows to ensure research is conducted safely under BSL-2/3/4 conditions as appropriate.
- Integrates molecular findings with ecological and entomological data to improve prediction and prevention of high-consequence veterinary and zoonotic diseases.
- Publishes peer-reviewed research and communicates findings to scientific, regulatory, and agricultural stakeholders.
Education
Basic Requirements for General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series, 0401 Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Basic Requirements for Entomology Series, 0414 Degree: entomology; or a related discipline of the biological or physical sciences that included at least 16 semester hours in entomology. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major that included course work as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Education: Applicants with major fields of study in biology, zoology, or invertebrate zoology may fully meet the basic educational requirements if their academic preparation included substantive instruction (including appropriate laboratory and field work) in basic general entomology, taxonomy, physiology, ecology, general and organic chemistry, general physics, and mathematics or statistics that provided some training in the analysis of variables. All eligible applicants will be evaluated against the Quality Category criteria described below. Applicants who meet at least one of the following criteria will be placed in the Quality Category. 1. Above Average Educational Achievement Candidates demonstrating above average educational achievement under any of the options outlined below are eligible for the Quality Category. A. Candidate has completed all requirements for, or is a candidate within 9 months, for a high school diploma, or a degree from an accredited junior college, college, university, or other baccalaureate institution, provided he or she meets one of the requirements listed below. i. GPA is at least 2.70 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. This is either the average of all completed courses at the time of application, or the average of all courses completed during the last two years of a high school, college or other four year program. ii. GPA in the major field of study is at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. This is either the average of all completed courses at the time of application, or the average of all courses completed during the last two years of a four year curriculum. iii. Member of one of the national honor societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other than freshman honor societies. B. Candidate has completed all requirements for an advanced degree from an accredited institution, appropriate to the position being filled. An advanced degree is defined as beyond the baccalaureate (i.e. DVM, M.A. Ph.D., etc.). Evaluation of candidates under this provision will take into account the relevancy of both the type and the level of education completed to the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the duties of the position. Examples of advanced degrees appropriate to this position include: Entomology, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, or zoology, provided there is an emphasis on population genetics or population genomics. 2. Quality Experience Quality experience is defined as directly related experience, and is differentiated from the specialized experience requirements to the extent that it is directly related to the work of the position, was gained in the same functional specialization, and has clearly equipped the candidate with superior ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. The intent of the quality experience provision is to go beyond experience which is simply related to the line of work and focus upon directly related experience in the same field. Examples of quality experience for this position include: demonstrated track record of independent scientific inquiry and milestone achievements in vector biology, molecular biology, molecular virology, or high consequence zoonotic diseases. 3. High Ability Candidate has a 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent, for at least 24 semester hours, or equivalent, of course work above the high school level that is directly related to the position. Examples of directly related course work include: Genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, population genetics, population biology, or phylogenetics. NOTE: Although the High Ability provision in the Demo authority allows for the consideration of successful completion of a trade or vocational program, a determination has been made that this type of education is not appropriate for Research Scientist positions. Therefore, completion of a trade or vocational program will not be considered for placement in the Quality Category. 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.