Molecular Biologist

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Department of Agriculture

Job Summary

This position is located with Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU), in Geneva, NY. PGRU maintains USDA diversity collections of vegetable crops with objective to acquire, maintain, evaluate, and distribute genetic resources for these crops and their wild relatives. The incumbent provides support to focusing on characterization and documentation of vegetable crop traits under greenhouse, field, and laboratory conditions.

Major Duties

  • Search literature for information relevant to research methodologies, procedures and techniques.
  • Biological and physical sciences including molecular biology and genetics to independently perform recurring tests and analyses, evaluate methodologies, and make minor modifications of procedures and protocols related to the assigned duties.
  • Record and calculate results, tabulates data, and performs elementary statistical calculations of means, standard deviations, standard errors, and coefficient of variations.
  • Knowledge of the theories and principles of statistics to choose appropriate statistical analyses and interpret data.
  • Select appropriate methods and procedures or devises and recommends alternative methods of standardized analysis to solve problems.
  • Maintain equipment and instrumentation in top working condition, performing routine preventative maintenance and minor repairs, and promptly reporting signs of malfunction or need for major repairs.

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 Requirements: To Qualify for the 0401 series

A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND

In addition to the basic requirement above, all applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications: Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: At The GS-07

Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 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 assisting in molecular biological experiments related to genetics; maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation; and recording experimental data. OR EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: Successful completion of 1 year of graduate-level education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field directly related to the duties of the position. Related degrees may include: genetics, molecular biology, horticulture, plant biology, or other related biological sciences. OR Completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.). SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (SAA): (1) A grade point average of B (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study; OR (2) A grade point average of B (a GPA of 3.5 or higher) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study; OR (3) Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision; OR (4) Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A qualifying combination of education and specialized experience as described above. At The GS-09

Qualifying experience for GS-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 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 assisting in molecular biological experiments related to genetics; maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation; recording experimental data; and using experimental data to prepare scientific reports. OR EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include: genetics, molecular biology, horticulture, plant biology, or other related biological sciences. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A qualifying combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. Note: only graduate-level education in excess of one full year is qualifying for combining education and experience. 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.

Pay Range

$42,053.00 - $66,868.00

More information...

End Date: 

Monday, December 30, 2019