Interdisciplinary Research Entomologist/Research Molecular Biologist

About the role

This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service, National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, Zoonotic and Emerging Disease Research Unit in Manhattan, KS.

Responsibilities

• Conducts team research on tick vector ecology, population genetics, and vector competency for high-consequence zoonotic pathogens.
• Plans, coordinates, and executes multidisciplinary research activities of assigned and collaborating scientists, preparing annual project plans and reports.
• Integrates knowledge from molecular biology, immunology, and veterinary medicine to evaluate host-pathogen interactions and transmission.
• Develops novel approaches and modifies existing technologies to characterize host responses to infections at molecular, cellular, and animal levels.
• Provides technical and administrative supervision to a Biological Science Technician, including selection, work assignment, and performance evaluation.
• Executes research protocols safely within low and high-containment facilities, adhering to strict BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 biosafety regulations.
• Conducts collaborative research using molecular and genomic tools to characterize arthropod-borne pathogen transmission and host-pathogen interactions.
• Manages laboratory resources, personnel, and high-containment workflows to ensure research is conducted safely under BSL-2/3/4 conditions as appropriate.
• Integrates molecular findings with ecological and entomological data to improve prediction and prevention of high-consequence veterinary and zoonotic diseases.
• Publishes peer-reviewed research and communicates findings to scientific, regulatory, and agricultural stakeholders.

Requirements

• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• 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://www.e-verify.gov/.
• The position supports the biocontainment facilities and may require entry into biosafety level (BSL) 3, 3 enhanced, 3 Ag and BSL-4 labs.
• The incumbent must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position.
• This position requires the selectee to undergo a pre-employment check and a full background investigation.

Qualifications

• GS-12: Experience assisting with applied research in vector biology, entomology, or molecular biology; experience establishing or maintaining arthropod/vector colonies; experience utilizing laboratory techniques like molecular cloning, PCR, or cell culture to analyze host-pathogen interactions; experience managing biological samples safely under BSL-2 or higher containment protocols; and experience contributing data or text to scientific manuscripts and annual progress reports.
• GS-13: Experience planning and executing independent research projects focusing on tick vector ecology, population genetics, or vector competency for zoonotic or emerging pathogens; experience establishing or maintaining arthropod/vector colonies; experience modifying or adapting scientific methodologies to investigate viral pathogens; experience managing assigned project resources or funding; and experience serving as a primary author on peer-reviewed scientific publications or technical reports.
• GS-14: Experience leading a multidisciplinary research program or project focused on the transmission dynamics, vector ecology, and host-pathogen interactions of foreign animal or zoonotic diseases; experience serving as a Principal Investigator directing research on high-consequence viral pathogens within high-biocontainment facilities (BSL-3 or BSL-4); experience establishing collaborative scientific partnerships; experience providing technical supervision or administrative oversight to laboratory staff; and experience publishing authoritative, peer-reviewed research findings that influence national or international agricultural health strategies.
• GS-15: Experience providing senior scientific leadership, strategic direction, and program oversight for a national-level research portfolio dedicated to biodefense and foreign animal disease intervention strategies; experience serving as an international authority in vector biology or molecular virology; experience conceptualizing novel research frameworks to counter high-consequence zoonotic threats; experience directing complex operations in maximum biocontainment (BSL-4) environments; experience managing substantial institutional budgets and personnel structures; and experience presenting definitive scientific findings to federal leadership and international advisory bodies to safeguard public and agricultural health.