As a Project Leader for bioinformatics and computational diagnostic services within the Computational Biology and Informatics Services (CBIS) section at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), you will develop and apply computational solutions to animal diseases, forensics, and epidemiological tracing of both disease organisms and their host animals. Your work will impact the scientific community, livestock and poultry industry, VS national eradication programs, and public health.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: Successfully completed bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR Combination of education and experience: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Working with a laboratory information management system (LIMS), relational databases and their implementation in a laboratory such as: sample accessioning, biological sample life-cycle - assay platforms, types of data, expected turn-around-time as well as reporting of results by various sections for completed cases. Working with system interoperability, system analysis and electronic messaging: technology such as enterprise service buses, message types, web services, and API's for exchanging data via JSON or XML. Developing, customizing, and optimizing software in a variety of programming languages including Perl, Python, R, SQL, Unix, and Linux using Git as a repository. Appling new computational techniques, including implementing solutions and open-source code described in the primary literature, in order to resolve novel or obscure problems and issues that may arise. Documenting software, analyzing to methodically document software, analyze pipelines, and other work to meet quality management standards in line with ISO17025. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. 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.
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. The duties may include, but are not limited to:
Designs and develops program solutions and provides leadership and technical guidance for laboratory personnel on databases and software.
Recognizes vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in laboratory databases and information management systems and creatively develops plans to solve such issues.
Collaborates and consults with diagnosticians, bioinformaticists, IT staff and program staff to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, and design and develop computational strategies.
Works on advanced laboratory processes such as next-generation sequencing.
Plans, organizes and provides training to state, Federal and university personnel at USDA sponsored training courses.
Presents scientific data related to veterinary diagnostics at local, regional, national, and international meetings, and publishes material in appropriate scientific peer-reviewed journals.