Geneticist Jobs

Duties

Summary

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Fruit and Research Unit in Byron, GA. In this position, you will be performing genetic research; collecting and evaluating samples; recording and analyzing scientific data; and preparing scientific information to be included in manuscripts. This is a term, time-limited appointment with an initial duration no less than 13 months and can be extended up to a total of 4 years.

Requirements

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. Basic Requirement Degree: genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics. Graduate Education: Genetics, or a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on genetics. Graduate study in related fields such as agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and physiology that involved cross-training in genetics is qualifying, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on genetics. Evaluation of Education: Most students in the field take graduate work because specific training in genetics may be limited at the undergraduate level. Under these circumstances, it may be necessary to evaluate undergraduate course work in genetics in one of two ways, as described below, to determine whether or not it is qualifying. Courses dealing with genetics, some phase of genetics, or specific techniques that are applied in genetics work are acceptable. This includes courses in genetics, plant or animal genetics, molecular and cellular biology, mathematics and statistics (as they apply to genetics), population dynamics, and certain techniques such as those dealing with irradiation. Course work consisting of an appropriate combination of basic courses in genetics and cytology or statistics are also acceptable. AND in addition to meeting the basic education requirement above, all applicants must meet the following minimum qualification requirements
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-09 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 successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience performing plant genetic research in a laboratory environment; collecting and evaluating samples related to plant genetics, plant or fungal biotechnology, or plant transformation; recording and analyzing scientific data; and preparing scientific information to be included in manuscripts or preparing 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 genetics with an emphasis on molecular biology, plant genetics, plant or fungal biotechnology, plant biology, plant pathology, or horticulture. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking or bending. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a work day) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. In other situations, there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination. Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in a laboratory and greenhouse. Incumbent is exposed to irritant chemicals on an irregular basis; on such occasions, special safety precautions are required and the geneticist uses protective clothing and gear such as laboratory coat, safety glasses and gloves.
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.

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