Biological Scientist

Full Job Description

Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) within the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) protects American agriculture and American public and farmers from foreign animal and dangerous, exotic diseases by conducting research, developing vaccines, performing diagnostic testing, and training veterinarians to respond to these bio-threats.

Your development and validation of diagnostic tests and reagents for foreign animal diseases will help prevent their outbreak and spread 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 REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

Or combination of education and experience: Combination of post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work.

The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above.

In addition to the basic requirement above, applicants must also meet the following: FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Utilizing and troubleshooting molecular assays (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, sequencing, design of primers and probes) and immunoassays (ELISA, IFA, Western blot, other serology assays), and/or virus isolation and virus titration, validation of diagnostic assays.

Developing and updating Standard Operating Procedures and quality worksheets as needed working in a general laboratory inventory system of biological samples.

Independently perform and train others on a range of specialized tests for the isolation, detection, identification, for a range of organisms/pathogens.

OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree in Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Cell Biology, virology, or related fields. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education.

This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements.

The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

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. Major Duties:

• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Utilizing and troubleshooting molecular assays (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/RT PCR, sequencing, primer/probe design), immunoassays (ELISA, IFA, Western blot, serology), virus isolation/titration, and diagnostic assay validation.
• Developing and updating standard operating procedures and quality worksheets as needed. Working in a general laboratory inventory system of biological samples
• Independently performing and training others on a range of specialized tests for the isolation, detection, identification, for a range of organisms/pathogens.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the clinical, pathological manifestations of animal disease with particular depth in those conditions important to animal health programs methods.
• Knowledge of laboratory procedures for identification and characterization of animal viruses and other microorganisms.