Agricultural Science Research Technician

US-Agricultural-Research-Servic; Houma (LA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The USDA Agricultural Research Service, Plant Science Research Office, Sugarcane Research Unit in Houma, Louisiana seeks qualified applicants to support entomology and plant science research aimed at expanding cropping ranges and environmentally friendly production.

Positions at GS-07 to GS-09 involve specialized experience with laboratory work, data recording, microscope use, and PCR analysis, with graduate education as an alternative; federal qualifications must be met by 11/03/2026.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience requirements for GS-07 include one year of specialized experience related to the position, with duties in entomology, lab work, and data recording.
• Graduate education at the master's level in related fields can substitute, as defined.
• A combination of graduate education and specialized experience is acceptable.

Education

Master's degree in Entomology, Biology, Pathology, Genetics, Agriculture, or Plant Science

Job description

This position is located in the Agricultural Research Service, Plant Science Research Office, Sugarcane Research Unit in Houma, Louisiana.

In this position, you will work with scientists to develop improved varieties and environmentally friendly production strategies that will expand the cropping range, and combat a constantly evolving pest complex that includes diseases, insects, and weeds. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing 11/03/2026 of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

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 preparing or analyzing biological samples related to entomology; operating common laboratory or greenhouse equipment used for test or evaluation procedures; and keeping detailed records of experimental data.

OR

Successful completion of 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, Biology, Pathology, Genetics, Agriculture, Plant Science.

OR

A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above.

GS-08

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 participating in a entomology or plant science research project; using a microscope for organism identification and quantification, analyzing samples using PCR, and summarizing data using software packages; and maintaining inventory of laboratory equipment or supplies.

OR

Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Entomology, Biology, Pathology, Genetics, Agriculture, Plant Science.

OR

A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above.

GS-09

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-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-08 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 conducting an experiment involving entomology and plant science; maintaining specialized scientific equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures; using a microscope for organism identification and quantification and preparing reagents or solutions for use in a laboratory setting for PCR analysis.

OR

Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Entomology, Biology, Pathology, Genetics, Agriculture, Plant Science.

OR

A combination of graduate education and specialized 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.