Research Microbiologist

Summary
This position supports the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Lab and the duty location is Madison, WI. The scientist will be applying and integrating concepts of microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, and bioinformatics to better understand the various mechanisms of wood deterioration and adaptability of wood degrading organisms. This is not a remote position.
For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact at Thomas Shelton at thomas.g.shelton@usda.gov.
This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.
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Duties

• Develop, implement, and monitor progress of grants and agreements to ensure program goals are achieved.
• Apply available information and testing methods from a variety of disciplines to achieve research goals and develop internal and external collaborations when attempting to find solutions to a problem.
• Review research plans and publications and assist in the development of other scientists' broad research programs and provide service to the public on wood protection and biodegradation.
• Organize, coordinate, and specify appropriate experimental design, conduct experiments; interpret data and report results; publish regularly in reputable peer-reviewed journals; develop and/or revise evaluation methods.
• Develop research plans, assign priorities, answer questions, and provide guidance under the context of the research program.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• Completion of a 3-year probationary period required in accordance with the USDA Demonstration Project Authority. During this time, employee's conduct and performance will be monitored in order to determine if employee will be retained.

Qualifications
To qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
This is a research scientist position and is classified under the scientist career plan. 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 will be determined by a peer review panel. The purpose of the initial review panel is to determine the grade level upon entry into a position.
Candidates being considered for this research position should provide a list of publications for which you have been an author, co-author, or contributor. If providing curriculum vitae, please incorporate all resume requirements identified in the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement, or submit a supplemental resume which includes all information required in addition to the curriculum vitae.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
Work Experience: Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience: the beginning day, month and year the work assignment started and ended; the hours worked per week; position title, and series and grade if applicable; and description of duties performed. This information must be provided for each permanent, temporary or seasonal appointment/work assignment or volunteer work and should be clearly documented as a separate block of time. Incomplete, inaccurate or conflicting work history may not be credited for qualifications purposes. This can result in an applicant not being considered for the position.
Microbiology Series Basic Requirement:

1. 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
2. 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.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.
Minimum Qualifications Requirements:
For the GS-12: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as of the following:

• Conducting the full cycle of scientific research (including identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) in one or more of the following areas: Determining mechanisms of biological degradation of wood products with a focus on metabolism (bacteria, fungi, insects) utilizing transcriptomics and metabolomics-based research. Developing or revising laboratory procedures for accelerated evaluation of wood materials or treatments against biodeterioration agents. Developing methods for evaluating and controlling sapstain and mold fungi in green and seasoned lumber/logs and mass timber. Characterizing succession and interaction of the various biotic and abiotic agents involved in biodeterioration of wood. Developing methods for early detection of biological degradation (bacteria, mold, decay fungi).
• Securing funding for scientific research through a variety of external funding sources
• Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.

OR
Conferred Ph.D. degree that included scientific research in areas related to the work of the position which is understanding the mechanisms of biodeterioration that result in wood failure at the cellular and molecular levels and how they relate to variations in environmental conditions and/or includes coursework in areas such as microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, and bioinformatics. Your transcripts must show conferral of your Ph.D. to qualify for GS-12 grade level.
For the GS-13: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). Specialized experience at this level is defined as:

• Conducting a diversity or body of research in the mechanisms of biodeterioration that result in wood failure at the cellular and molecular levels and how they relate to variations in environmental conditions as a Principal Investigator or project member on multiple studies that include the full cycle of scientific research (i.e. identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities)as it pertains to: Determining mechanisms of biological degradation of wood products with a focus on metabolism (bacteria, fungi, insects) utilizing transcriptomics and metabolomics-based research. Developing laboratory procedures for accelerated evaluation of wood materials or treatments against biodeterioration agents. Developing methods for evaluating and controlling sapstain and mold fungi in green and seasoned lumber/logs and mass timber. Characterizing succession and interaction of the various biotic and abiotic agents involved in biodeterioration of wood. Developing methods for early detection of biological degradation (bacteria, mold, decay fungi).
• Developing and disseminating research findings in collaboration with resource managers and planners for presentation at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.

NOTE: Graduate level education alone is not qualifying for GS-13 grade level. To qualify at this grade, you must possess the specialized experience listed above.
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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
See above for required education and/or graduate level education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.
Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given a new appointment.
If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed.
This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by either NFFE, AFGE, or NAGE.
Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.
Government Housing is not available.
This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.
The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12186087

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, yo...