Summary This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Laboratory in Poplarville, MS. In this position, you will be responsible for serving as part of a research team conducting research related to biological sciences within a laboratory, field, or greenhouse setting. Responsibilities Adapt, modify, or develop new techniques or procedures to satisfy the needs of the biological science research project. Perform the functions relating to molecular biology research such as: collecting biological samples from a lab environment, process samples and recording data from studies on microorganisms, and evaluate biological samples. Participate in one or more phases of the biological research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment. Maintain records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources. Determine the kinds and frequency of tests, observations, etc., to be made and the amount of data to be recorded. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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-07 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 participating in a research project related to biological sciences; statistically analyzing or summarizing biological data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses may include biology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, zoology, entomology, or microbiology. OR A combination of graduate level education and experience as described above. GS-08 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 one or more phases of a biological sciences research process; culturing, collecting, and analyzing cell culture samples; and operating, maintaining, calibrating, or modifying specialized equipment. OR Education: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses may include biology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, zoology, entomology, or microbiology. OR A combination of graduate level education and experience as described above. GS-09 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-08 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 setting up and conducting an experiment or research project related to biological sciences; collecting, preparing, and evaluating bee culture samples for sequencing and supporting records; and summarizing research results for preparation in scientific reports or manuscripts. OR Education: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses may include biology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, zoology, entomology, or microbiology. OR A combination of graduate level education and 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. 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 (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the 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.