Biological Scientist

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 75,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA APHIS's Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) seeks a biological scientist to advance diagnostic test development, validation, and proficiency testing for exotic livestock diseases. The role emphasizes data interpretation, rigorous record keeping, and coordination of materials to support nationwide diagnostic efforts.

The position requires a degree in biological sciences or related field, and for GS-11 level, either specialized experience or advanced degrees.

Qualifications

• Basic requirement: degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources, chemistry or related field.
• GS-11: 1 year of specialized experience in designing, validating diagnostic assays or performing lab diagnostics using microbiological methods, PCR/RT‑PCR, sequencing.
• PhD or 3 years graduate study in relevant fields; transcripts required if education is the basis for qualification.

Responsibilities

• Assist design, execution, interpretation and reporting of experiments for diagnostic assays.
• Perform assays for antigens, nucleic acids and antibodies indicating foreign diseases.
• Operate laboratory equipment such as thermocyclers, sequencers, ultracentrifuges, flow cytometers and electrophoresis systems.
• Maintain records of select agent inventories and quality control data.
• Coordinate receipt and shipping of biological materials to support FADDL mission.
• Contribute to QA/QC and inventory activities.

Skills

Laboratory techniques

Data interpretation

Record keeping

Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related field

PhD or equivalent doctoral degree

Relevant graduate coursework

Tools

Thermocyclers

DNA sequencers

Ultracentrifuges

Flow cytometers

Robotics equipment

Electrophoresis equipment

Job description

Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service

Job Summary

You will serve as a biological scientist within the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL).The key functions of the FADDL are the diagnosis of animal diseases foreign to the United States, the development and validation of diagnostic tests and reagents for foreign animal disease diagnosis, training and proficiency testing of state diagnostic laboratory personnel in diagnostic assays for exotic livestock diseases, generating and providing standards to be used in diagnostic assays.

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. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: 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. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four‑year course of study with a major as described above. FOR THE GS‑11 GRADE 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: Designing, optimizing, or validating diagnostic assays, including interpreting experimental data and preparing technical reports. Performing laboratory diagnostics using microbiological methods, virus isolation techniques, and molecular biology procedures such as PCR, RT‑PCR, sequencing, or other nucleic acid‑based tests. Maintaining precise laboratory records, including select agent inventory tracking, quality control documentation, and experimental logs. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in the fields of Microbiology, Microbiology and Genetics, Veterinary Microbiology Immunology, Molecular Biology, Virology Animal Science, or closely related. 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.

Major Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to:Assists with the design, execution, interpretation and reporting of experiments and experimental data associated with development and validation of new or modified diagnostic assays.Performs assays for the detection of antigens, nucleic acids and antibodies indicating the presence of a foreign animal disease.Operates sophisticated laboratory equipment including thermocyclers, DNA sequencers, ultracentrifuges, flow cytometers, robotics equipment, and electrophoresis apparatus.Maintains a current knowledge of the literature with particular focus on foreign and emerging animal diseases of livestock, including diagnostic testing, reagent production vaccine production, etc.Maintains accurate records of select agent inventories.Coordinates receipt and shipping of biological materials to support FADDL mission.Maintains accurate records regarding developmental, testing, and quality control procedures performed.Conducts Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Inventory activities.Assists in the development of new technologies to support the FADDL mission.

Position Start Date

11/03/2026

Position Close Date

11/09/2026

Salary Offered

74678 - 97087 USD Per Year

You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response