Summary The incumbent is a Research Veterinary Medical Officer in the Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research Unit (RDIRU) at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, IA. The mission of RDIRU is to conduct basic and applied research on the pathogenesis, prevention, and diagnosis of viral and bacterial pneumonia and mastitis in ruminants and wildlife such as bison. This research is a component of ARS National Program Action Plan 103 – Animal Health. Responsibilities Investigate the pathogenesis of mycoplasma infections of ruminants, including Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. Mycoides with the goal of countermeasure development and disease control tools. Develop animal models of Mycoplasma bovis and Mycoplasma mycoides cluster agents. Determine the host-pathogen interactions associated with infection with Mycoplasma bovis and Mycoplasma mycoides cluster agents, including lesion and innate/adaptive immune response kinetics. Assess immunologic responses in vitro assays with cultured cells and/or organoids and gene expression studies with data assessment. Utilize molecular laboratory techniques such as cell culture, histopathology, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, digital image analysis and morphometry, evaluating cytokine/antimicrobial peptide production, and genomics and transcriptomics. Develop intervention strategies to prevent or treat respiratory infections that reduce disease severity and minimizes the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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 Qualification Requirements for Veterinary Medical Science Series, 0701: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classificaiton-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0700/veterinary-medical-science-series-0701/ Degree: A. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA). The AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org (external link), has a listing of all AVMA-accredited veterinary medical schools. OR Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (Refer to AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org for information about schools in this category) must meet one of the following requirements. Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) Possession of a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States that includes successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or its predecessors, the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT). Proof that the education obtained in a foreign veterinary medical program is equivalent to that gained in a veterinary medical program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. Under this provision, equivalency is established only if an AVMA-accredited veterinary medical school or college accepts the graduate’s final transcript from the foreign veterinary medical school at full value for placement into an advanced degree, postgraduate educational program, or training program (e.g. residency or graduate program). Graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must also provide proof of proficiency in the English language by successfully completing one of the nationally and internationally recognized examinations that incorporate assessments of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Examples of examinations that assess mastery of the English language are shown below: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Minimum scores for the TOEFL are 560 for the paper-based version; 220 for the computer-based version; or overall score of 83 for the internet-based version (including 26 or higher in speaking, 26 or higher in listening, and 17 or higher in writing). For the computer-based and paper-based test versions, applicants must also complete the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of Written English (TWE). Minimum required scores are 55 for the TSE and 5.5 for the TWE; Academic tests (listening, writing, and speaking) offered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, and 6.0 in writing; OR Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 70, with at least 60 in speaking, 60 in listening, and 50 in writing. Additional Requirements for the 0701 Series: Applicants must meet the education requirements above as well as one of the following additional requirements to qualify for the GS-12, GS-13, GS-14, or GS-15 grade levels. Experience: Applicants who meet the educational requirements described above as well as the specialized experience requirements below may qualify as follows: The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-12 level are: Conducting research related to Mycoplasma bovis and Mycoplasma mycoides (MmmSC) infections of ruminants ; AND Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings, either in person or virtually. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-13 level are: Conducting independent research related to Mycoplasma bovis and Mycoplasma mycoides (MmmSC) infections of ruminants; AND Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings, either in person or virtually; AND Experience supervising staff to accomplish research objectives. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-14 level are: Planning and conducting independent research related to Mycoplasma bovis and Mycoplasma mycoides (MmmSC) infections of ruminants; AND Publishing related research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Being invited to present research findings at scientific conferences, either in person or virtually; AND Experience supervising staff to accomplish a variety of research objectives; AND Working with stakeholders to enhance research efforts and writing grant proposals to expand existing programs. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-15 level are: Leading a multidisciplinary team conducting research related to Mycoplasma bovis and Mycoplasma mycoides (MmmSC) infections of ruminants; AND Publishing related research results as first or corresponding author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Being invited to present research findings at scientific conferences, either in person or virtually; AND Experience supervising staff to accomplish research objectives; AND Developing and maintaining relationships with commodity groups or other stakeholders, AND Identifying and protecting industrially important intellectual property and successfully transferring developed technologies. 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. 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. Education Education To qualify at the GS-12 or GS-13 grade levels on the basis of education, applicants must successfully complete relevant graduate study or a dual DVM/graduate degree as described below at an accredited college or school, in addition to completing the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or an equivalent degree: GS-12: 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. GS-13: Ph.D. degree in any of the above specialties or related sciences. Residency/Post-Graduate Training Programs Residency or post-graduate training programs require two to five years of study in a specific discipline or specialty. Successful completion of such training qualifies the job applicant for the following grade levels: GS-12: Successful completion of two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. GS-13: Successful completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. 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. Additional Information This position is designated as Non-Sensitive Public Trust/Moderate Risk (Tier 2) and requires the selectee to undergo a pre-employment check and a full background investigation. Any offer made is considered a tentative job offer pending the outcome of the pre-employment check. Retention in the position is based upon a favorable adjudication of the background investigation. The incumbent will be subject to periodic reinvestigations. CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: Federal employees are subject to prohibitions against officially dealing with outside organizations in which they have a financial interest. If hired for this position, you may be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of the effective date of your appointment and annually thereafter. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 71 out of a possible 100. Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual’s demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. *Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.