Biological Science Technician

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

Job summary

The Sugarcane Research Unit in Houma, Louisiana, under the Agricultural Research Service, seeks researchers to lead sustainable breeding, genomics, and plant science programs. This role requires completing specialized experience and/or graduate education as outlined for GS-07 through GS-09, with duties spanning laboratory analysis, field trials, and data management.

Applicants must meet the qualifications by the posting closing date and will contribute to crop program development and intramural

Qualifications

• Specialized experience for GS-07 includes one year at GS-06 level directly related to the work.
• Education: one full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to master's or equivalent.
• For GS-08: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 in crop research, sample collection, field raising, and operating basic farm/pesticide equipment.
• Education: two full years of progressively higher level graduate education.
• For GS-09: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-08 including entomology and plant science experiments, equipment maintenance, microscope use for identification/quantification, and preparing reagents for PCR analyses.

Responsibilities

• Lead sustainable research and variety development using breeding, genomics, precision agriculture, integrated pest management, soil science, and plant physiology.
• Prepare and analyze biological samples; collect data and maintain detailed records.
• Support field and lab activities across crop research stages.

Skills

Record keeping

Lab techniques

Sample collection

Crop cultivation

PCR analysis

Education

Graduate education in Entomology/Biology/Pathology/Genetics/Agriculture/Plant Science

Two years of graduate education in related field

Tools

Microscope

Basic farm/pesticide equipment

PCR reagents preparation

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 lead sustainable research and variety development using breeding, genomics, precision agriculture, integrated pest management, soil science, and plant physiology. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement 11/03/2026 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 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

Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses include Entomology, Biology, Pathology, Genetics, Agriculture, Plant Science.

OR

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

GS-08

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 participating in one or more phases of the research process relating to crops; assisting with collecting crop samples; assisting with raising crops in a field; and operating basic farm or pesticide equipment.

OR

Education: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses include Entomology, Biology, Pathology, Genetics, Agriculture, Plant Science.

OR

A combination of graduate level education and 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 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

Education: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses include Entomology, Biology, Pathology, Genetics, Agriculture, Plant Science.

OR

A combination of graduate level education and 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.