Research Geneticist (Insects)

Agency: USDA - Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
Location: Kerrville, TX
Job Category: Faculty Appointments, Full Time Positions
Salary: $73,735 to $95,388/yr
Last Date to Apply: November 14, 2018
Website: https://www.usajobs.gov/getjob/viewdetails/515610100
Description: The incumbent is a Research Geneticist (Insects) in the Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit in Kerrville, TX. The Unit’s mission is to conduct basic and applied research providing support to the USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s international New World Screwworm (NWS) eradication program in Panama. Research responsibilities require a stay of 2-3 years stationed in Pacora, Panama on a rotational basis. This position will report to Panama when necessary paper work completed. Responsibilities Major Duties: Perform foundational research and translate science-based knowledge to develop the next generation of insect genetic systems to enhance the sterile New World Screwworm (NWS) technique through biotechnology. Develop collaborations and communicate technical information pertaining to insect genetics research towards generating knowledge that can be applied to reassess the degree of evolution between populations in areas where the NWS remains endemic, and determine the source of incursions in areas where the NWS was eradicated. Collect, analyze, and summarize technical information pertaining to NWS genetics focusing on adaptation and response to the environment. Prepare written work products based on research to be reviewed and/or published in professional articles, publications, and technical abstracts.
Qualifications: Conditions of Employment Successful completion of a three year probationary period Satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check U.S. Citizenship Required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Be able to obtain Non-Critical Sensitive, Secret security clearance Must be able to apply for and obtain all travel documents to Panama Must sign Foreign Assignment Agreement prior to assignment CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: Federal employees are subject to prohibitions against officially dealing with outside organizations in which they have a financial interest. If hired for this position, you may be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of the effective date of your appointment and annually thereafter. To be considered for a research scientist position, you must submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Also, 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. • Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation. The position requires a Secret security investigation, and may be subject to reinvestigation every five years thereafter. A favorable adjudication of the clearance or background investigation at the time of appointment and on re-investigations is a condition of employment. Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified by grade level. Your education and experience will be evaluated against all qualification requirements (basic and any additional requirements) listed below. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Basic Requirements: A degree in genetics or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics or equivalent research experience. Graduate Education: Genetics, or a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on genetics. Graduate study in related fields such as agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and physiology that involved cross-training in genetics is qualifying, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on insect genetics. Additional Requirements: In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet Specialized Experience requirements as stated below. GS-12: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or possess an equivalent combination of graduate level education and experience. Graduate education must be directly related to genetics as stated above must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position being filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level of this position are: Producing publications as the primary author or contributor that fill in gaps in an existing theory or framework; Developing information or providing technical support to research projects, such as molecular genetics, population genetics, molecular biology and/or genomics to develop and analyze genotypic and phenotypic data; Being recognized through citation as a contributor to projects, or peer-reviewed publications and papers in the identified field of research; Experience in the use of bioinformatics and statistics in a research environment; Presenting information to professional societies within and outside of the organization in the area of specialization. Applicants must address the specialized experience requirements in their resume (or application documents). Applications that do not reflect the specialized experience requirements will not be deemed qualified. 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. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-admin.asp
Job Number: 70
Contact Person: Matthew Wagers
Contact Phone: 970-492-7063
Contact eMail: matthew.wagers@ars.usda.gov