Biological Science Laboratory Technician

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS); Athens (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Exotic and Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research Unit in Athens, GA seeks a team member to support experiments in microbiology and infectious disease research. The role involves laboratory, field, or greenhouse tasks and contributing ideas to plan and sequence technical aspects.

Applicants must meet the stated qualifications for GS-7/8/9 and possess experience in processing microbiological samples, data compilation, and

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 level, directly related to the work of this position.
• Education: one year of graduate education leading toward a master's in a related field.
• Combination of education and specialized experience is acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Participate in one or more phases of the research process in lab, field, or greenhouse settings.
• Perform a variety of complex technical duties and contribute ideas for planning and sequencing technical aspects of the research.
• Assist in processing microbiological samples and compiling data from experiments.

Skills

Laboratory techniques

Data analysis

Experiment planning

Research coordination

Education

Microbiology

Virology

Immunology

Molecular Biology

Animal Husbandry

Agriculture

Poultry Science

Animal Science

Cell Biology

Infectious Disease

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Summary

This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Exotic and Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research Unit, Southeast Area, Athens, GA. In this position, you will actively participates in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment and contributes ideas towards the planning and sequencing of the technical aspects of the research.

Duties

Summary This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Exotic and Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research Unit, Southeast Area, Athens, GA. In this position, you will actively participates in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment and contributes ideas towards the planning and sequencing of the technical aspects of the research.

Requirements

Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. GS-7:
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 processing microbiological samples in a laboratory environment; compiling and summarizing data from experiments; and operating specialized laboratory equipment. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Zoology, Poultry Science, Animal Science, Cell Biology, Veterinary Science, Animal Biosciences, Animal Health, Biomedical Science or Infectious Disease. OR A combination of education and specialized experience as described above. GS-8:
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-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 microbiological research project related to infectious diseases; analyzing and summarizing results of scientific research data; and operating complex laboratory equipment or instruments. OR Education: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Zoology, Poultry Science, Animal Science, Cell Biology, Veterinary Science, Animal Biosciences, Animal Health, Biomedical Science or Infectious Disease. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-9:
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-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 conducting a microbiological research project related to poultry; collecting and evaluating virus samples from poultry; performing cell culture techniques on virus samples collected from poultry; and preparing scientific data to be included in manuscripts or reports. OR Education: Two full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Zoology, Poultry Science, Animal Science, Cell Biology, Veterinary Science, Animal Biosciences, Animal Health, Biomedical Science or Infectious Disease. OR A combination of graduate level 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.
Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. What we do matters in science and the world. For more information about Agricultural Research Service, go to https://www.ars.usda.gov/.