Job Summary

Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) within the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) protects American agriculture and the American public and farmers from foreign animal and dangerous, exotic diseases by conducting research, developing vaccines, performing diagnostic testing, and training veterinarians to respond to these bio-threats. Your development and validation of diagnostic tests and reagents for foreign animal diseases will help prevent their outbreak and spread.

Job Description

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: Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Or combination of education and experience: Combination of post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Utilizing and troubleshooting molecular assays (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, sequencing, design of primers and probes) and immunoassays (ELISA, IFA, Western blot, other serology assays), and/or virus isolation and virus titration, validation of diagnostic assays. Developing and updating Standard Operating Procedures and quality worksheets as needed working in a general laboratory inventory system of biological samples. Independently perform and train others on a range of specialized tests for the isolation, detection, identification, for a range of organisms/pathogens. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Cell Biology, virology, or related fields.. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university 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.