Research Veterinary Medical Officer (PATHOLOGY)

US-Agricultural-Research-Servic; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Manhattan, Kansas, invites applications for a research scientist position in the Zoonotic & Emerging Disease Research Unit (ZEDRU) addressing the spread of henipaviruses to domestic animals.

The project advances understanding of infectious disease dynamics in livestock. Applicants must meet basic requirements and possess specialized experience; GS-12/13 career ladder; final grade determined by peer review panel.

Qualifications

• Basic veterinary degree and language proficiency requirements.
• Master's degree in specialization such as animal science, infectious diseases, epidemiology, or related fields.
• Ph.D. degree or equivalent with relevant expertise is acceptable for higher grade levels.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research related to infectious animal diseases.
• Analyze experimental data and publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Develop animal models and present findings at meetings.
• Develop and execute analytical techniques to detect animal disease pathogens.

Skills

Research

Data analysis

Peer-reviewed publications

Presentations

Education

DVM or equivalent (AVMA)

Master's degree in relevant field

Ph.D. in a related field

Job description

This position is located in with the United States Department (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in the Zoonotic & Emerging Disease Research Unit (ZEDRU), at the National Bio & Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), in Manhattan, Kansas.
In this position, you will work as a research scientist on the project addressing the spread, to domestic animals, of the Hendra and Nipah viruses.
*Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT (IOR)

Basic Requirement

Degree: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor
(VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary
Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA). The AVMA web site, http://
www.avma.org (external link), has a listing of all AVMA-accredited veterinary medical schools.

OR

Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (Refer to AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org (external link) for information about schools in this category) must meet one of the following requirements.

• Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG)
• Possession of a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States that includes successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or its predecessors, the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT).
• Proof that the education obtained in a foreign veterinary medical program is equivalent to that gained in a veterinary medical program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. Under this provision, equivalency is established only if an AVMA-accredited veterinary medical school or college accepts the graduate's final transcript from the foreign veterinary medical school at full value for placement into an advanced degree, postgraduate educational program, or training program (e.g. residency or graduate program).

Graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must also provide proof of proficiency in the English language by successfully completing one of the nationally and internationally recognized examinations that incorporate assessments of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Examples of examinations that assess mastery of the English language are shown below.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum scores for the TOEFL are 560 for the paper-based version; 220 for the computer-based version; or overall score of 83 for the internet-based version (including 26 or higher in speaking, 26 or higher in listening, and 17 or higher in writing). For the computer-based and paper-based test versions, applicants must also complete the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of Written English (TWE). Minimum required scores are 55 for the TSE and 5.5 for the TWE;
• Academic tests (listening, writing, and speaking) offered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, and 6.0 in writing;

OR

• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 70, with at least 60 in speaking, 60 in listening, and 50 in writing.

Graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must submit test results with their application. Results of more than one test or testing session cannot be combined to meet the standard.

All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement outlined above, as well as the Minimum Qualification Requirement(s) outlined below.

FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL:

Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, conducting research related to infectious animal diseases; analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presenting research findings at professional meetings.

OR

Successful completion of a Master's degree in an area of specialization including, but not limited to: animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.

OR

RESIDENCY/POST GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. Applicants will need to provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program.

FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL:

Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, planning and conducting research focused on infectious animal diseases; analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; developing animal models; presenting research at local and national scientific meetings; and developing and executing analytical techniques used to detect animal disease pathogens.

OR

Education Substitution: Successful completion of a Ph.D. degree in an area of specialization, including but not limited to, animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.

OR

Residency/Post-Graduate Training Programs: Successful completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. OR Board Certification: Specialty boards that are recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) certify eligible candidates as specialists in specific veterinary medical fields. Veterinarians who successfully complete all requirements for Diplomate status in an ABVS-recognized veterinary specialty organization may qualify for the GS-13 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.

To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications.

Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.