Molecular Biologist

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA APHIS in Laurel, MD, seeks a GS-11 bioscience professional specializing in molecular and biochemical methods to diagnose plant pests and pathogens. You will develop, validate, and apply PCR, RT-PCR, sequencing, and serological techniques to identify threats to U.S.

agriculture; prepare reports and communicate results to researchers and managers. You will manage projects, coordinate with other scientists, review current literature, and advise on adopting new diagnostic technologies.

Qualifications

• Basic requirement: degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines.
• Combination of education and experience with 24 semester/36 quarter hours in biological sciences or related field, PLUS experience.
• For GS-11 level, 1 year specialized experience or PhD equivalent in related sciences.
• Transcripts required if education is the basis for qualification.

Responsibilities

• Develops, modifies, adapts, and validates molecular and biochemical detection/diagnostic methods to identify plant pathogens.
• Manages projects execution, tracks progress and budget, trains and manages staff for timely completion.
• Monitors spending, approves reimbursement claims and financial reports and provides overall management of cooperative agreements.
• Responsible for making final, authoritative molecular taxonomic determinations of plant pathogens and other plant pests intercepted at ports of entry.
• Confers with national and international taxonomic and/or molecular scientists to apply data in determining the identity of samples.
• Searches, reviews, and evaluates current foreign and domestic scientific literature for new diagnostic techniques.
• Evaluates benefit and feasibility of adopting or adapting new technology for Agency use and makes recommendations.
• Provides scientific information and recommendations to technical field personnel and informs them of new diagnostic techniques.

Skills

Molecular biology

Virology

Plant pathology

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biological sciences / Agriculture / Chemistry or related

Tools

PCR

RT-PCR

DNA sequencing

ELISA

Job description

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

Job Summary

The selectee serves as an authority in molecular and biochemical methods for diagnosis of plant pests and provides final identification of plant pathogens and other plant pests based on sophisticated state-of-the-art molecular and biochemical techniques for detecting, identifying, and differentiating plant pests, especially plant pathogens that threaten U.S. agriculture.

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 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 meet the following qualification requirement. 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: Applying principles of virology, plant pathology, microbiology, molecular biology, or other related sciences to study, characterize and identify plant pathogens. Planning and managing projects and collaborating with other scientists to address research and technological needs related to plant pathogens and plant health. Using molecular and serological methods including microorganism isolation, nucleic acid extraction, various PCR and RT-PCR methods, isothermal amplification, nucleic acid sequencing and data analysis, ELISA and others. Analyzing, summarizing, and communicating technical/scientific data and information, both orally and in writing, to academic and professional audience. OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines. Equivalent education and experience are accepted for this grade. 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

• Develops, modifies, adapts, and validates molecular and biochemical detection/diagnostic methods to identify newly introduced/emerging plant pathogens.
• Manages projects execution, track progress and budget, trains and manage assignments for support staff for timely project completion.
• Monitors spending, approves reimbursement claims and financial reports and provides overall management of cooperative agreements.
• Responsible for making final, authoritative molecular taxonomic determinations of plant pathogens and other plant pests intercepted at ports of entry from all parts of the world.
• Confers with national and international taxonomic and/or molecular scientists to apply collective data in determining the identity of samples.
• Searches, reviews, and evaluates current foreign and domestic scientific literature and contacts colleagues for information on new diagnostic testing techniques.
• Evaluates benefit and feasibility of adopting or adapting the new technology for Agency use and makes recommendations to appropriate Agency managers.
• Provides scientific information and recommendations to technical field personnel and informs them of new diagnostic techniques.

Position Start Date: 09/25/2026

Position Close Date: 10/01/2026

Salary Offered: 85447 - 111087 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