Research Veterinary Medical Officer (Pathology)

Full Job Description

This position works in the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), Zoonotic and Emerging Disease Research Unit (ZEDRU).

The Research Scientist Veterinary Medical Officer (Pathologist) conducts basic and applied research on the mechanisms and characterizes immune responses against viral pathogens such as the viral ecology of Henipaviruses in endemic settings and intervention strategies to prevent their spread to domestic animals.

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: Positions in the GS-0701 series must meet basic qualifications as found in the Education section below.

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, Specialized Experience must also be met. 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: FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Conducting research related to infectious animal diseases; Analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; and Presenting research findings at professional meetings.

OR Successful completion of a Master's degree in an area of specialization including, but not limited to: animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.

OR RESIDENCY/POST GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position.

Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program.

FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Planning and conducting research focused on infectious animal diseases; Analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; Developing animal models; Presenting research at local and national scientific meetings; and Developing and executing analytical techniques used to detect animal disease pathogens.

OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of a PhD degree in an area of specialization including, but not limited to: animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.

OR RESIDENCY/POST GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position.

Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program.

OR BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Specialty boards that are recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) certify eligible candidates as specialists in specific veterinary medical fields.

Veterinarians who successfully complete all requirements for Diplomate status in an ABVS-recognized veterinary specialty organization may qualify for the GS-13 grade level.

Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting their diplomate status.

FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: 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.

FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: 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 the GS-14 or GS-15 grade levels.

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.

Major 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 post mortem 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.