KEY REQUIREMENTS



• A recent Ph.D. is Required

Major Duties:

This position is located at the Stored Product Insect Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Manhattan, Kansas.  The mission of the research unit is to develop ecologically-based technologies to replace or reduce the use of traditional pesticides for the control of stored product pests.  The incumbent will be responsible for cloning and expressing genes encoding cysteine cathepsins from Tribolium castaneum.   Recombinant proteins will be evaluated for kinetic properties.  Incumbent will use biochemical and gene expression methods to study the variation in sequences of cysteine cathepsins from individuals, as well as the relative expression of cystein cathepsins in tissues and developmental stages.  Functional studies will include RNA interference of individual cysteine cathepsin genes.  Incumbent will work with ARS team and collaborators to develop a phylogenetic overview of cysteine cathepsins in tenebrionids.

This position requires a recent (within 4 years) Ph.D in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or a closely-related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.  Knowledge and experience with genetic cloning and expression, biochemical enzyme assays, quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization, high throughput sequencing and analysis and RNAi is desirable.

Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard's requirements of the scientific discipline necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. 

This position has a positive education requirement.  You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position.  If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position.  If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty.  Application materials will not be returned.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.  It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.  Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a for additional information on this topic.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application will be evaluated to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position as defined above under "Qualifications".

A Benefits Package will be authorized for appointments made for a period of more than one year.  Additional information about Federal benefits can be obtained at
http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc. 

OTHER INFORMATION:

Relocation and Other Incentives:
Payment of relocation expenses and other incentives will be determined in accordance with P&P 412.5, Recruitment and Retention Incentives and Other Special Pay, Sections 6 and 7, as amended by Bulletins 03-402 and 05-412.5, which may be found at http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/Bulletins/05-412-5.pdf.  See also http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/staffing_recruit/reloweb.htm.

Veteran's Preference:  If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach member 4 copy of your DD-214. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.

False Statements:
If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; may be fired after beginning work; or may be fined or jailed.

Optional Form 306 (Declaration for Federal Employment):
If you are selected for this position, you will be required to complete this form before an offer may be made.

Selective Service System:
Males over age 18 who were born after December 31, 1959, must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for Federal employment.

ARS Reasonable Accommodation Contact Information:
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, or have questions regarding reasonable accommodation and/or accessibility for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Disability Program Manager on 202-720-6161 or through the DC Relay Service on 202-855-1234 (TDD).

Applications may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the appropriate address and/or facsimile number listed below:

Mail:  Brenda Oppert

1515 College Avenue

Manhattan, KS  66502

E-mail:  brenda.oppert@ars.usda.gov

Fax:  785-537-5584

If sending your application as an attachment to an email, do not send zipped files.  They will be removed in accordance with standard electronic security procedures.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

If application packages do not contain all of the requested information, you may lose consideration for the job.  To help you ensure your application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this position, please submit the following documentation as appropriate.   Some of the items listed may not apply to you.  NOTE:  Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.

APPLICATION PACKAGE CHECKLIST

__ Resume, Curriculum Vitae, or other document outlining your qualifications

The following information is required of all applicants:
__ Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the position

__ Full name, mailing address (including zip code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code)

__ Indicate country of citizenship
__Copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Only if claiming veteran's preference. Visit the following web site for additional information: http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp)

__SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference) plus the supporting documentation required by this form (if claiming 10-point veteran's preference).  Visit http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp to obtain the form.

__ Paid and non-paid work experience related to the position.  For each period of work experience include:
          ___Job title
          ___Series/grade (if Federal employment)
          ___Duties and accomplishments
          ___Employer's name and address
          ___Supervisor's name and contact information
          ___Starting and ending dates of employment (at least month/year)
          ___Number of hours worked per week
          ___Salary
          ___Indicate if we may contact current supervisor/employer

__ Other job related information, such as training courses (title & year); skills (e.g., other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, etc.)
          ___Certificates/licenses (current)
          ___Honors, awards, and special accomplishments
       
__ Copy of college transcripts (If you have non-conventional education, e.g., foreign study, continuing education units, life experience, etc., go to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a and look under the heading Other Education for information governing acceptability of this type of education.)

As an Applicant for a Postdoctoral Research Associate Position, you must also submit the following:

__  A one-page abstract of Ph.D. dissertation

__  A resume of any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitations); and publications.

__  A list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, and recognition.

If this is your first time applying for a federal job, or if you wish to view more detailed information about  various aspects of applying for federal jobs, go to http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Applications will be received and reviewed for consideration until a selection has been made.