Research Veterinary Medical Officer (PATHOLOGY)

Summary

This position is located in with the United States Department (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in the Zoonotic & Emerging Disease Research Unit (ZEDRU), at the National Bio & Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), in Manhattan, Kansas. In this position, you will work as a research scientist on the project addressing the spread, to domestic animals, of the Hendra and Nipah viruses. *Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel.

Duties

• Provide leadership in selecting the research path for studies on susceptible species including swine, cattle, and other animal models.
• Serve as Authorized Departmental Officer's Designated Representative (ADODR) for Specific Cooperative Agreements with collaborating research institutes and as team leader of assigned projects within the research project.
• Identify and propose productive research areas, perform independent research, and collaborate with scientists from within the ARS and from academia and private industry to best achieve the research objectives.
• Provide unique leadership and research skills to contribute to the identification, description, and characterization of the effects of zoonotic pathogens in livestock.
• Develop molecular, clinical, and postmortem techniques to understand virus-host interactions, and to develop methods or therapies to minimize or avoid infection and disease.
• Organize research, establish research priorities, lead in planning research projects, supervise execution of research, evaluate and review research, lead discussions on the interpretation of results, and report and publish research progress.
• Assures the studies of this Research Unit meet the highest standards of animal welfare and address the highest priorities of the animal industry, action agencies, and other user groups.
• Serve as the Chief Veterinary Pathologist for ZEDRU.

Education

FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, planning, conducting, and leading research focused on infectious animal disease; analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; developing new analytical techniques to study virus-vector-host interactions of foreign animal disease pathogens; presenting research results at national and international scientific meetings; managing funds on research grants; and ensuring the development of well-trained scientific and technical staff. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service, developing and leading an interdisciplinary, collaborative research program focused on the prevention and control of foreign animal diseases in livestock animals; publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; presenting research results at national and international scientific meetings; developing new analytical techniques to study virus-vector-host interactions of foreign animal disease pathogens; managing funds on research grants; and developing collaborative relationships with government officials, scientific organizations, and internal and external industry stakeholders to coordinate research efforts and validate research results. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level