This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Exotic and Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research Unit, Southeast Area, Athens, GA. In this position, you will actively participates in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment and contributes ideas towards the planning and sequencing of the technical aspects of the research.

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. GS-7:

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-06 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 is experience processing microbiological samples in a laboratory environment; compiling and summarizing data from experiments; and operating specialized laboratory equipment.

OR Education:

One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Zoology, Poultry Science, Animal Science, Cell Biology, Veterinary Science, Animal Biosciences, Animal Health, Biomedical Science or Infectious Disease. OR A combination of education and specialized experience as described above. GS-8:

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-08 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 is experience participating in a microbiological research project related to infectious diseases; analyzing and summarizing results of scientific research data; and operating complex laboratory equipment or instruments.

OR Education:

Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Zoology, Poultry Science, Animal Science, Cell Biology, Veterinary Science, Animal Biosciences, Animal Health, Biomedical Science or Infectious Disease. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-9:

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-08 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 is experience conducting a microbiological research project related to poultry; collecting and evaluating virus samples from poultry; performing cell culture techniques on virus samples collected from poultry; and preparing scientific data to be included in manuscripts or reports.

OR Education:

Two full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Zoology, Poultry Science, Animal Science, Cell Biology, Veterinary Science, Animal Biosciences, Animal Health, Biomedical Science or Infectious Disease. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.