Molecular Biologist

This position is located within Agricultural Research Service, Northeast Area, Plant, Soil and Nutrition Research Unit in Ithaca, NY.

In this position, you will improve the security and nutritional quality of plant crop species through interdisciplinary research integrating approaches from molecular biology and genomics, bioinformatics, genetics, physiology, biochemistry and membrane biophysics.

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
Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, 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.

GS-07
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: 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 participating in collecting data and analyzing samples related to research on genetics, physiology, or molecular biology of plants; recording and evaluating scientific data; and operating laboratory equipment or instruments.
OR
Education: Successful completion of one (1) full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree. Related degrees may include plant science, crop science, molecular biology, biochemistry, or genetics.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Completion of a bachelor's degree, with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.). Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, as described above. S.A.A. is based on (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
A combination of specialized experience and education as described above.

GS-09
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: 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 collecting and analyzing samples related to plant genetics; recording, evaluating, and presenting scientific data; researching literature to pertinent to plants; and operating laboratory equipment or instruments used for plant genetic research.
OR
Education: Successful completion of two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include plant science, crop science, molecular biology, biochemistry, or genetics.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience as described above.

Physical Demands: The work sometimes requires standing for prolonged periods.

Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in a laboratory. Incumbent is exposed to irritant chemicals on and irregular basis; on such occasions, special safety precautions are required and the microbiologist uses protective clothing and gear such as laboratory coat, safety glasses, and gloves.

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.