Research Microbiologist (Virology)

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Research Microbiologist and conducts research to elucidate the host-pathogen relationship and to use that knowledge to develop methods to improve the prevention, rapid detection and control of classical swine fever (CSF) in the Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit (FADRU) at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, KS.

Duties

• •Develops an independent research program that will elucidate gaps in our knowledge regarding CSF viral infection, evolution, and host-pathogen interaction to develop adequate prevention and control measures to protect and support US Farmers.
• •Responsible for the preparation and execution of CSF research projects.
• •Prepares annual reports, patent applications, manuscripts, and grant applications, as needed, to supplement the research program.
• •Identifies and characterize tissues and cells infected with attenuated and virulent strains to provide information on the mechanisms related to infection, persistence, and immunity that can induce early protection.

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 for Microbiology Series, 0403 Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Graduate Education: Microbiology, or specific area of study such as bacteriology, virology, mycology, algology, protozoology, parasitology, immunology, serology, microbial genetics, or soil microbiology; or specific applied fields of microbiology such as clinical and public health microbiology, food technology, production processes, industrial fermentation, pollution, etc. Graduate study in related fields such as experimental pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, biochemistry, animal or plant physiology, genetics, plant pathology, and insect disease control, may also be pertinent, provided it has direct application to microbiological work. Evaluation of Education: Microbiology is a broad field of science encompassing a number of scientific disciplines or areas of science, the fields in which this science is applied, and related fields where the work is concerned with or involves microbiology. The scientific disciplines or areas of this science include bacteriology, immunology, serology, algology, mycology, parasitology, protozoology, rickettsi-ology, tissue culture, virology, and similar disciplines or areas of science. The applied fields include environmental, food, dairy, soil, industrial, public health, clinical, and agricultural microbiology, and similar areas in which microbiology is applied. Related fields include taxonomy and systematics, plant, animal, or human physiology or pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, ecology, and similar areas of science where the work is directly related or applies to microbiology. Except where the course work deals with a limited and specific segment of the science, where it might be limited in usefulness, most of the work, including that dealing with the development and use of microbiological methods, procedures, and techniques, is qualifying. In interpreting the substantive value of the course work, credit may be given for courses in related fields, depending on the degree to which the courses are related to micro-biological work. Evaluation of Experience: For the GS-11 and higher grade levels of such specialized positions, the experience must have been sufficiently specialized to insure adequate familiarity with the area of specialization or applied field of microbiology or have direct application in the area for which the applicant is being considered. Additional Requirements: In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification 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. 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: independently implementing scientific principles, methods, and processes to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry into animal diseases and host-pathogen relationships dealing with the immunology against animal viruses. OR Possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, if related. Related degrees may include: Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Chemistry, Virology, Animal Science, and Genetics. 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. 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: planning and conducting research in the area of virology; developing strategies or solutions for the prevention of diseases; publishing independent research findings as the first author in peer-reviewed journals related to virology; collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 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-14 level of this position are: developing, planning, and conducting research in the area of virology focusing on animal diseases; managing a research program; publishing independent research findings as the first author in peer-reviewed journals related to virology; establishing collaborations with internal and external stakeholders; and presenting research findings at professional meetings. GS-15: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 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-15 level of this position are: developing and overseeing research aimed at developing adequate prevention and control measures to protect animals from pests or infectious diseases; formulating, executing, and leading a research program for animal disease research; publishing independent research findings related to animal diseases in peer-reviewed scientific journals; and developing collaborative relationships with other university, industry, and government laboratories. 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 further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended th