Biologist (Computational/Bioinformatics)

Duties

• Develop efficient computational methodologies to analyze agricultural/biological data with environmental data and methods to conduct comparative genome and phenomic analyses on a variety of computer platforms.
• Develop scripts to link various software programs, and establish appropriate quality control procedures for high-throughput data systems.
• Collaborate with researchers in analytical phases of new techniques and procedure for genomic data.
• Partner and collaborate with ARS scientists, computational biologists, database managers, etc. in analysis of data, development of new data analysis techniques, data storage protocols, and other related activities.
• Perform required investigations, design appropriate experimental and analytical approaches, execute, organize, and evaluate research results, and contribute to reports on findings.
• Use originality in the development and application of existing bioinformatics algorithms to detect and analyze variation and patterns inherent in biological/agricultural data.
• Define research problems, develop appropriate experimental and analytical designs, execute research plans, organize and evaluate results, and report findings.
  
  

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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/
  
  

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 Requirements

Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

AND

In addition to meeting the basic education requirement above, you must also meet the following minimum qualification requirements:

GS-13

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-13 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-12 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 employing computational methods to manage or analyze genetic information; developing new computational methods and application of existing methods; analyzing a range of molecular, biological, ecological, or environmental data sets; conducting training related to computational expertise; and making presentations at conferences, workshops, or professional meetings.

GS-14

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-14 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-13 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 applying bioinformatics, statistical, and computational approaches to answer complex biological questions; performing bioinformatics analyses for collaborative experimental procedures, techniques, and data formats; designing advanced computational methods for data modeling and representation to develop new methods to derive actionable insights for managing agricultural problems; providing mentoring and training to other scientific personnel; and making presentations at conferences, workshops, or professional meetings.

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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Additional Information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified based on an evaluation of the following competencies: Bioinformatics/Computational Biology, Partnering, Research Support and Data Analysis, and Technical Competence. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job.
• Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given a new appointment to the civil service.
• 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.
• 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 neither implied nor guaranteed.
• 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.