PDF versionJob Summary
This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service with one vacancy in Athens, Georgia. The incumbent will serve as a Research Biologist (Computational) in the Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit, U. S. National Poultry Research Center in the Richard B. Russell Agricultural Research Center in Athens, Georgia.
Major Duties
- Utilizes the principles of computational biology and bioinformatics to characterize the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract of poultry raised in commercial poultry houses and on all-natural farms.
- Utilizes tools of bioinformatics and computational biology to design bioinformatic databases to study the role of the native microflora of the gastrointestinal tract of poultry in preventing colonization of these animals by human enteropathogens.
- Develops computational methodologies to determine the effects of chemical and biological interventions on the native microflora of the gastrointestinal tract of poultry.
- Facilitates the development of alternatives to antibiotic use during poultry production.
- Assesses the bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity of probiotics, vaccines, and other novel interventions on human enteropathogens associated with poultry.
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: General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series (0401) Degree: Biological Sciences, agriculture, natural resource
management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination or education and experience: Courses equivalent to a maior as shown above plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. At the 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 the work of the position and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level of this position are: Using data structures and algorithms to represent, manipulate and quantitatively analyze biological sequence data, Using numerical and statistical methods for data mining and analysis, Experience working as a project or team member conducting research on planning objectives, which are road and complex in scope, Primary authorship of papers, reports or articles in professional publications related to microbiology, computational biology or bioinformatics. At the GS-13: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level of this position are: Conducting and publishing genome sequence analysis, Experience with designing novel algorithms, Working as a project or team leader who has experience in microbiology and/or the native microflora of the gastrointestinal tract of poultry, Addressing novel and difficult problems requiring modification of standard methods, Preparing comprehensive reports of research findings, Primary authorship of articles in peer-reviewed journals related to interactions between non-pathogenic, native intestinal microflora and foodborne pathogens such as Campylobacter and Salmonella. 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 be considered for this 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. 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.
Pay Range
$80,830.00 - $124,955.00