Research Geneticist; Plants

The incumbent is a Research Geneticist (Plants) for the Corn Insect & Plant Genetics Research Unit located in Ames, Iowa. Research projects focus on plant improvements, which may include agronomic qualities, nutritional quality, increased production, enhanced uses, or reduction of plant pathogen, pest, or abiotic stress impacts, using genetic/genomic approaches. Incumbent is responsible for devising, planning, conducting, and reporting research completed under assigned research projects.

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.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the duties of the position OR 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service OR a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-12 level are:

• Conducting research related to plant genetic improvement;
  AND
• Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings;
  AND
• Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.

The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-13 level are:

• Planning and conducting research related to improving crop productivity, disease and pest resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, or consumer quality;
  AND
• Presenting research findings at scientific conferences;
  AND
• Publishing research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
  AND
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.

The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-14 level are:

• Planning, conducting, and leading team research related to improving crop productivity, disease and pest resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and consumer quality;
  AND
• Presenting research findings at scientific conferences;
  AND
• Publishing independent research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
  AND
• Establishing or expanding collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.

The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-15 level are:

• Developing, executing, and managing a research program related to crop improvement;
  AND
• Presenting research findings at national and international scientific conferences;
  AND
• Publishing independent research findings related to crop improvement as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
  AND
• Serving as Principal Investigator on a collaborative research grant.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps,…