Biological Science Technician

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

Job summary

USDA Agricultural Research Service in Urbana, IL, seeks personnel for GS-06/07 levels to support soybean and maize germplasm research. You will assist in laboratory, field, or greenhouse work, collect samples, use scientific equipment, and maintain detailed records of research activities.

The role requires experience with plant pathology protocols, data organization, and safe handling of materials, with opportunities for graduate education and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience for GS-06/07 includes lab/field/greenhouse research tasks and data handling.
• Education must include at least one year of graduate study in relevant bioscience fields.
• Combination of experience and graduate education is allowed.

Responsibilities

• Assist with laboratory, field, or greenhouse activities and procedures.
• Collect samples and operate scientific equipment according to established methods.
• Maintain accurate research records and support data organization and reporting.
• Perform disease inoculations and screenings; maintain equipment and materials.
• Follow safety procedures when handling biological or chemical materials.

Skills

Laboratory research

Field research

Greenhouse research

Education

Master's degree in Biology/Plant Pathology/Agronomy

Tools

Scientific equipment

Data analysis software

Job description

This position is located in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Midwest Area, Soybean/Maize Germplasm, Pathology, and Genetics Unit in Urbana, IL.

GS-06

Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. Qualifying experience for GS-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 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 assisting with laboratory, field, or greenhouse research activities by collecting samples, operating scientific equipment, and following established procedures; maintaining accurate records of research data and using computer software to organize, summarize, or report results; preparing laboratory materials, performing plant disease inoculations, conducting disease screenings in field or greenhouse settings, maintaining equipment, and following safety procedures when handling biological or chemical materials.OR
Education: Successful completion of at least one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters' or equivalent graduate degree, related degrees may include Biology, Plant Pathology, Plant Sciences, Plant Biology, Plant Genetics, Agronomy.OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated above.

GS-07

Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. 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 performing laboratory, field, or greenhouse research activities using scientific equipment and a variety of biological research techniques; basic plant pathology protocols, collecting, analyzing, and summarizing research data; adapting or modifying research procedures, maintaining specialized equipment and detailed research records.OR
Education: Successful completion of at least one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters' or equivalent graduate degree, related degrees may include Biology, Plant Pathology, Plant Sciences, Plant Biology, Plant Genetics, Agronomy.OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated 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.