Interdisciplinary Research Nutritionist / Physiologist / Biologist

Location and Overview

This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Field Organization, Plains Area, Responsive Agricultural Food Systems Research Unit, College Station, TX. The Agricultural Research Service is USDA’s chief scientific in‑house research agency, focused on finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans from field to table.

Duties Summary

The incumbent will conduct research that focuses on innovations in the food system and nutritional environment to improve human health outcomes and prevent chronic disease.

Basic Requirements

• Dietetics and Nutrition Series – 0630: Bachelor’s or graduate/higher level degree in dietetics, food, nutrition, food service management, institution management, or a related science. The program must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. For dietitian positions, the curriculum must meet the qualifying requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) in effect at graduation, including completion of a coordinated undergraduate program, internship, or other clinical component approved by AND. Professional registration as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is required.
• Physiologist Series – 0413: Degree in basic animal sciences, physiology, or a related discipline that includes at least 24 semester hours in basic animal sciences, with a minimum of 10 semester hours in animal physiology. Acceptable coursework includes anatomy, cytology, invertebrate and vertebrate zoology, embryology, entomology, animal/dairy/poultry husbandry, nutrition, genetics, physiology, cellular physiology, advanced biochemistry, and related microbiology courses that directly apply scientific principles to animal physiology.
• Biology Series – 0401: Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Alternatively, a combination of education and experience that includes coursework equivalent to a major in the above fields plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Additional Requirements

• GS‑12: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑11 level, including assisting with developing precision‑nutrition research and study execution, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting experimental data, and preparing scientific reports while supporting lab personnel.
• GS‑13: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑12 level, including independently conceiving and conducting portions of precision‑nutrition research, developing research protocols and analytical methods for clinical nutrition or diet‑feeding studies, performing advanced data and statistical analysis (e.g., –omics methods), and writing full manuscripts and coordinating with collaborators.
• GS‑14: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑13 level, including leading precision‑nutrition or diet‑disease relationship projects, designing and executing detailed prospective observational or randomized controlled clinical studies (or participation in large multisite cohorts), developing advanced methodologies, authoring high‑impact publications, directing interdisciplinary teams, supervising research staff, and publishing as primary author in peer‑reviewed journals.
• GS‑15: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑14 level, including leading major nutrition research programs with documented national impact, directing multi‑institutional research initiatives, grants, and collaborations, participating in symposia that define the discipline, managing research programs (personnel, equipment, fiscal resources), and publishing independent research findings as primary author with a record of extramural funding.

Application Recommendations

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a one‑page abstract of their MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation; failure to do so may result in loss of consideration. Additionally, provide a list of references (names, addresses, phone numbers) familiar with the applicant’s stature, contributions, honors, awards, professional society memberships, invited presentations, committee assignments, and publications.

Volunteer experience (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, professional or community organizations) is counted toward qualifying experience. Applicants must be available to report for duty when a selection is made, typically within 30 days of the announcement closing date.