Research Microbiologist

This position is located at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, Manhattan KS.

Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. *Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel.

Qualifications:

Work Environment: The work involves everyday risks and discomforts with risk of irritant chemicals and biological agents when visiting research laboratories, facility operations and animal facilities. Work may require working beyond normal work hours during an emergency and entering biocontainment areas may be required.
Conditions of Employment:

• Drug Test Required.
• SAC and full background investigation required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities.
• Department of Justice (DOJ) Security Risk Assessment (SRA) approval is required.
• Respirator fitting and certification is required.

To comply with USDA personnel security requirements and requirements of the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) for access to information and areas with Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT), including Tier One Select Agents at NBAF, the incumbent must meet the following:

• Pre-employment and random testing of substances of abuse
• Participation in and adherence to the facility's Occupational Health Program
• Participation in and adherence to the facility's Personal Reliability Program
• The ability to obtain/maintain favorably adjudicated Background Investigations or Security clearances (required by USDA)
• This position would be classified as Non-Critical-Sensitive (Tier 3) requiring eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level

The incumbent also has access to spaces housing biological select agents or toxins and other hazardous materials, with the ability to independently compromise or exploit that access. The position has unlimited access to and control over unclassified information, which may include private, proprietary, or other controlled unclassified information where the unauthorized disclosure of that information could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. The mission of NBAF includes research, diagnosis, and training for animal diseases foreign to the United States (U.S.) for the purpose of protecting American agriculture and domestic food sources from their potentially devastating effects. NBAF is vital to successfully protecting U.S. agriculture from the intentional or non-intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth disease. The position supports the biocontainment facilities and may require entry into biosafety level (BSL) 3, 3 enhanced, 3 Ag and BSL-4 labs. The incumbent must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position. To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and for retention of the position, the incumbent must meet the following medical standards in a pre-employment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis:

• Ability to shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day
• Not have any skin condition which would prevent showering one or more times per day
• Body piercings must be able to be removed prior to entry
• External medical assist devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering or not impede the ability to enter biocontainment, and the individual must still be able to shower out safely without assistance
• Ability to follow instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment
• Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as: insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness; and inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment

Medical confidentiality will be maintained by the examining physician and only fitness for duty determination will be indicated. The incumbent will be required to pass periodic fitness for duty physicals. In addition, a medical clearance will be required in the event that it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required. A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities. For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness under the provision of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended 21 USC 321-392.Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, biosafety protocols specify a personal quarantine for employees working on specific infectious agents in designated areas of NBAF. As a condition for employment, all personnel entering these areas at NBAF shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises away from NBAF for a period of five (5) days after leaving the area. Currently, restricted species are cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine. Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near infectious agents affecting these species. Restricted livestock or other restricted animals may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where the quarantine cannot be enforced. Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary actions. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and education, as defined below.
Applicants must meet the basic requirements listed below in the "Education" section in addition to the minimum qualifications.
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. All applicants must meet the following minimum qualification requirements:
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. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-13l evel of this position are:

• Working independently in a BSL-4 laboratory supporting or performing animal model / animal model challenge studies;
• Experience writing and obtaining research grants;
• Experience managing students, post docs or junior scientists;
• Track record of scientific publications in a peer review journal(s);

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. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-14level of this position are:

• Working independently in a BSL-4 laboratory performing animal model / animal model challenge studies;
• Experience in maintaining select agents;
• Track record of scientific publications in a peer review journal(s);
• Experience managing research budgets;
• Experience in the management and operation of maximum containment laboratory space and / or research programs;

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. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-15level of this position are:

• Working independently in a BSL-4 laboratory performing animal model / animal model challenge studies;
• Experience working with institutional biosafety committees;
• Experience managing scientists and students;
• Experience managing research budgets;
• Experience in the management and operation of maximum containment laboratory space and / or research programs;
• Experience as a registered PI for select agents;

Education: Basic Requirements 0403 Series at all Grade levels
Applicants must meet the basic requirements listed below in addition to the minimum qualifications listed above in the "Qualifications" section.
0403 Series - 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please 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.
Due to the Research component of this position Curriculum Vitae's are strongly encouraged to document publications and research experience.Employment Type: FULL_TIME