Physical Scientist

You will serve as a Physical Scientist in the development, implementation, and performance rheological, physicochemical, and biochemical methods for characterizing the end-use functional properties of cereal grains, oilseeds, and related commodities.

• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• Evaluates new instruments, including those that may automate methods currently performed manually.
• Designs and conducts experiments to evaluate the practical application of new and improved methods for the analysis of constituents in grain.
• Evaluates, analyzes, and interprets laboratory data to determine their validity and scientific meaning. Prepares progress and final reports summarizing experimental findings.
• Determines the major error contributions for each method and incorporates quality assurance and quality control procedures for the method being developed.
• Coordinates and conducts validation of new and improved methods according to the standard branch validation protocol.
• Orders, sets up, maintains, and troubleshoots lab instrumentation such as Farinograph, Glutomatic, Alveograph, Mixolab, Glutograph E, GC, LC and CE.

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• May need to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• 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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./
• Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment medical statement and/or exam.
• Prior to an official offer, selectee will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) acknowledging/accepting that geographic mobility is a condition of employment. Failure to sign the MOU will result in withdrawal of the job offer.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.