Research Veterinary Medical Officer
What you'd do
This position is located in with the United States Department (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in the Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit (FADRU), at the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF), in Manhattan, Kansas. In this position, you will work as a research scientist on the project addressing African Swine Fever (ASF), and Classical Swine Fever (CSF), providing expertise in swine immunology.
Major duties
Work as a research scientist on the project addressing ASF and CSF, providing expertise in swine immunology. Serve as team leader and Authorized Departmental Officer's Designated Representative (ADODR) for cooperative agreements, identifying research priorities. Develop and apply molecular, and immunological techniques to characterize immune mechanisms during infection and vaccination, and assess immunopathogenesis as well as protective innate and adaptive immune responses. Develop novel vaccines or countermeasures to prevent or mitigate disease. Plan and supervise research, interpreting results, publishing findings, and ensuring compliance with highest standards of animal welfare and stakeholder priorities. Serve as an independent investigator, and leader across multiple FADRU projects.
What you need to qualify
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement outlined in the Education section below. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 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 are: Conducting research in swine immunology, including applying immunological techniques to study host-pathogen interactions. Designing experiments and performing statistical analyses to evaluate research outcomes. Assisting in the development and execution of animal models for infectious foreign animal disease research. OR Education Substitution: Successful completion of a Master's degree in an area of specialization, including but not limited to, animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position. OR Residency/Post-Graduate Training Programs - Successful completion of two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience 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 are: Conducting advanced research in swine immunology to investigate immune responses to viral pathogens. Handling livestock and performing animal procedures, including inoculations, vaccinations, necropsies, and clinical evaluations. Developing vaccines and countermeasures for foreign and emerging viral diseases. Designing, developing and executing animal models to support infectious disease research and countermeasure evaluation. OR Education Substitution: Successful completion of a Ph.D. degree in an in an area of specialization, including but not limited to, animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position. OR Residency/Post-Graduate Training Programs: Successful completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. OR Board Certification: Specialty boards that are recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) certify eligible candidates as specialists in specific veterinary medical fields. Veterinarians who successfully complete all requirements for Diplomate status in an ABVS-recognized veterinary specialty organization may qualify for the GS-13 grade level. FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience 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 are: Leading research in swine immunology to characterize immune mechanisms underlying viral disease. Handling livestock and conducting complex animal procedures such as inoculations, vaccinations, necropsies, and clinical assessments. Assessing virus specific cellular immune responses using advanced immunological assays. Applying recombinant DNA technologies to express immune modulators and support vaccine development initiatives. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience 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 are: Utilizing expertise in swine immunology to develop and apply countermeasure technologies aimed at reducing the economic impact of foreign animal diseases. Creating vaccination strategies and additional mitigation approaches targeting viral pathogens in suids. Enhancing detection, control, and characterization methods for viral infections in swine populations. Planning and supervising multidisciplinary research programs; interpreting data, publishing results, and maintaining adherence to high standards for animal welfare and stakeholder needs. Ensuring compliance with biosafety protocols for high containment research facilities, including federal select agent regulations and institutional animal care standards. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level 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. To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; 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 invitation); and publications. Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
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