Biological Science Technician (Molecular Biology)
USDA
Full-Time
Salary: $54,106 to $77,692 / per year
Job Overview
Summary
Find Solutions to Agricultural Problems that Affect Americans Every Day, From Field to Table.
USDA is a great place to start or continue your career. USDA is ranked as one of the top 10 "Best Places to Work in the Federal Government" by the Partnership for Public Service (http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/overall/large). Rankings are based on employee feedback regarding satisfaction with their work experience.
This position is located in Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Crop Improvement and Protection Research in Salinas, CA.
The mission of the Crop Improvement and Protection Research Unit is to improve germplasm of sugarbeet, lettuce, celery, spinach and melon, determine basic biology of viral, fungal and bacterial diseases affecting these crops, develop alternatives to methyl bromide as a soil fumigant for control of soilborne pests in strawberry and vegetables, reduce postharvest losses of lettuce, develop scientifically based organic crop production practices, develop methods for control of weeds, and improve artichoke production practices including insect and disease control.
This position will contribute to a research program investigating the population genetics and evolutionary relationships of fungal plant pathogens and develop molecular assays for their detection and quantification.
This is a term, time-limited appointment Not to Exceed 13 months and can be extended up to a total of 4 years.
Duties
Major Duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Designing primers or probes for TaqMan real time PCR.
- Scoring SSR data using the computer program Gene Mapper and analysis of data.
- Performing high throughput DNA sequencing, including submission of samples via 96 well plate, and assembling contigs.
- Quantifying target sequences using droplet digital real time PCR.
- Working with next generation sequence data.
Supervisory Status
No
Promotion Potential
09
Travel Required
Relocation Authorized
Job Requirements
Key Requirements
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Satisfactory completion of background or fingerprint check.
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. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
At the GS-8:
Qualifying experience for GS-8 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-7 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in a molecular biology research project which requires high throughput DNA sequencing and assembly of contigs. Experience includes generating SSR data for population genetic research and analysis of data with current software, experience with design of TaqMan real time PCR assays and working with next generation sequence data.
OR
Education: Two full years of graduate level education or a Master’s degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Genetics and Molecular Biology.
OR
A combination of education and experience as described above.
At the GS-9:
Qualifying experience for GS-9 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-8 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in a population genetics research project which requires high throughput DNA sequencing and assembly of contigs. Experience includes working with droplet digital real time PCR for quantification of target sequences, generating SSR data for population genetic research and analysis of data with current software, and experience with design of TaqMan real time PCR assays and working with next generation sequence data.
OR
Education: Two full years of graduate level education or a Master’s degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology.
OR
A combination of education and experience as described above.
May be subject to satisfactory completion of one year trial period.
How to Apply
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/476049500#btn-how-apply
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g., all SF-50s) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Managements (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of two or three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:
- Molecular Biology
- Research
- Applies Technology to Tasks
Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply Online" button to the right.
