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Research Chemist (Research Associate)

Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
Southeast Area, Citrus & Other Subtropical Products Research Unit
This job announcement has closed

Summary

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


**ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED OR March 31, 2022**

Overview

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Job closed
Open & closing dates
07/28/2021 to 01/04/2022
Salary
$68,864 to - $89,529 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Pierce, FL
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - 2-years with an option to extend two additional years
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
ARS-21SEA-H-11185400
Control number
608959000

Duties

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  • Incumbent is responsible for the following:
  • Extracting and identifying compounds from oak plant tissue that mitigate HLB in citrus plant material via bioassay-guided chemical fractionation.
  • Using various physical and chemical extraction techniques including energized dispersive guided extraction and steam explosion and will be required to collaborate and coordinate with University of Florida and USHRL project team members.
  • Studies conducted to determine optimum conditions for the extraction and recovery of the oak plant tissue compounds of interest. HPLC-MS, GC-MS, NMR and other techniques will be utilized to characterize the compounds.
  • Transferring knowledge gained from laboratory extraction systems to bench and pilot-scale processes to support green house and field trials.
  • Reports research results at scientific meetings, and author manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check
  • Direct Deposit - 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 at https://www.e-verify.gov/
  • Appropriations Law and Immigration Law requirements must be met

Qualifications

This position requires a Ph.D in (chemistry, plant biology, and/or entomology. Professional knowledge of plant biology, molecular biology and analytical chemistry is required. Experience with analytical instrumentation, specifically HPLC-MS and GC-MS is required. Experience with NMR and energized dispersive guided extraction is desired) 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.

Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.

or

Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education

Education

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.

A Ph.D. is required.

Additional information

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

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.

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".

Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or 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.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11185400

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