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Duties

Summary

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the United States Department of Agricultures chief scientific research agency and one of the worlds premiere scientific organizations. ARS Postdoctoral Research Associates are hired to supplement a lead scientists research on agricultural problems of high national priority affecting American agriculture.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents who meet certain eligibility requirements

Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at: http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/EmployForeignNationals/index.htm

**ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED OR December 31, 2018 when the ANNOUNCEMENT CLOSES**
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Responsibilities

The incumbent will conduct soil microbiome and arsenic studies to understand the underlying mechanisms controlling rice inorganic As uptake in response to irrigation management and root soil microbial interactions. The assignment is to use physiological, molecular, biochemical, and bioinformatics approaches to understand: 1) how changes in plant phenological and physiological traits control grain As accumulation in response to different irrigation practices; 2) how soil physicochemical properties impact soil microbial populations 3) how the diversity of the microbial community changes, especially As-utilizing bacteria, in response to genotype x environment x management interactions, and 4) how As is distributed throughout the plant using x-ray fluorescence microtomography.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

11

Who May Apply

This job is open to…

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents seeking U.S. Citizenship.

**This is a Temporary Post Doctoral Appointment Not-to-Exceed 2 Years**

Questions? This job is open to 1 group.
Job family (Series)

0435 Plant Physiology

0401 General Natural Resources Management And Biological Sciences
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Requirements

Conditions of Employment
- A Ph.D. is required that was obtained within the last four years
- Appropriations Law and Immigration Law requirements must be met
- Pre-employment fingerprint check with successful adjudication is required
Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you may be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report inquiry.

Qualifications

This position requires a recent Ph.D in Plant Physiology or Molecular Biology or a related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard's requirements of the scientific discipline necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

This position has a positive education requirement. You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty. Application materials will not be returned.

Education

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
Foreign education must be evaluated by an approved organization. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at http://www.ed.gov. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
• E-Verify: Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS 'E-VERIFY' system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.

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How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position as defined above under "Qualifications".

To view the application form, visit: https://ars.usda.ntis.gov/cp/?event=jobs.previewApplication&jobid=0D5FEBD2-74CB-4D8E-9749-A90300EB1442

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Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance

Public Trust - Background Investigation
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Required Documents

If application packages do not contain all of the requested information, you may lose consideration for the job. To help you ensure your application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this position, please submit the following documentation as appropriate. Some of the items listed may not apply to you. NOTE: Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.

APPLICATION PACKAGE CHECKLIST

__ Resume, Curriculum Vitae, or other document outlining your qualifications

The following information is required of all applicants:
__ Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the position

__ Full name, mailing address (including zip code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code)

__ Indicate country of citizenship __Copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Only if claiming veterans preference. Visit the following web site for additional information: http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp)

__SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veterans Preference) plus the supporting documentation required by this form (if claiming 10-point veteran's preference). Visit http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp to obtain the form.

As an Applicant for a Postdoctoral Research Associate Position, you must also submit the following:

__ A one-page abstract of Ph.D. dissertation

__ A resume of 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 invitations); and publications.

__ A list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, and recognition.

If this is your first time applying for a federal job, or if you wish to view more detailed information about various aspects of applying for federal jobs, go to http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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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. Learn more about federal benefits.

A Benefits Package will be authorized for appointments made for a period of more than one year.

The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package. Explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees at: http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/enrollment/new-federal-employee-enrollment/

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.
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How to Apply

Applications may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the appropriate address and/or facsimile number listed below:

Mail: USDA/ARS/BARC
          10300 Baltimore Avenue, Bldg. 001/RM 124, BARC-W
          Attn: Dr. Jinyoung Barnaby
          Beltsville, MD 20705

E-mail:    Jinyoung.barnaby@ars.usda.gov

Fax:         301-504-5823
PHONE: (office) 301-504-8436; (Cell) 870-830-1360

If sending your application as an attachment to an email, do not send zipped files. They will be removed in accordance with standard electronic security procedures.

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Agency contact information

Dr. Jinyoung Barnaby

Phone

301-504-8436

Fax

301-504-5823

Email

jinyoung.barnaby@ars.usda.gov

Address

USDA/ARS/BARC
10300 Baltimore Ave., Bldg. 001, Rm. 124, BARC-West
Beltsville, MD, 20705
USA

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Next steps

Applications will be received and reviewed for consideration until a selection has been made.

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Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants
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Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
- An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about disability employment and reasonable accommodations or how to contact an agency.
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Legal and regulatory guidance

This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/503924800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.

Interdisciplinary: Research Plant Physiologist/Research Molecular Biologist

Department of Agriculture

Overview

Open & closing dates

Salary

Pay scale & grade

Work schedule

Appointment type

Location

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Duties

Summary

Responsibilities

Travel Required

Supervisory status

Promotion Potential

Who May Apply

This job is open to…

Job family (Series)