Biological Scientist

US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in Ames, IA seeks a Biological Scientist to test and evaluate proposed and licensed biologics for animal disease prevention, treatment, or diagnosis. The incumbent will perform microbiology techniques, DNA/RNA analyses, and maintain meticulous records while reporting findings to leadership.

Applicants must meet basic education requirements and demonstrate specialized experience or graduate-level education as defined for GS-11 level.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience in microbiology techniques and lab testing.
• Experience with DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, or related methods.
• Strong record keeping, data analysis, and reporting of findings.

Responsibilities

• Test and evaluate proposed and licensed biologics for animal disease prevention, treatment, or diagnosis.
• Analyze data from tests, summarize results, and report findings to the Section Chief.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Skills

Microbiology techniques

DNA/RNA extraction

Record keeping / data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences

Graduate study toward Ph.D. in biological sciences

Job description

The incumbent serves as a Biological Scientist in the Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB), Policy, Evaluation, and Licensing (PEL). The incumbent has responsibility for testing and evaluating proposed and licensed biologics for agents assigned by the Section Chief that are intended for prevention, treatment, or diagnosis of animal disease. 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:

A degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate the below:

FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL:

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Performing microbiology techniques such as fermentation, anaerobic and aerobic culture, aseptic technique, microbial cell count, gram stain, light and fluorescent microscopy, or viral techniques (neutralization, detection and propagation).
• Performing DNA/RNA extraction, DNA isolation, electrophoresis, real time PCR, conventional PCR, plasmid isolation and characterization, Sanger sequencing or next Generation sequencing.
• Conducting accurate record keeping, statistically summarizing data, evaluating the validity of samples; interpreting results and reporting findings.

OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS

are required if:

• This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
• You are qualifying for the position based on education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
• This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL:

Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

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.