Experience Inc. Jobs

Summary The incumbent is a Research Chemist in the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Bio-oils Research (BOR) unit in Peoria, Illinois. The focus of the BOR unit is to develop new technologies that utilize vegetable oils as renewable sources for value-added industrial products. The incumbent provides expertise in biobased materials and conducts research addressing needs of national interest for value-added industrial products from agricultural commodities, especially vegetable oils. Responsibilities Develop commercial uses of vegetable oils, lipids, and their derivatives, and increase the market value of these commodities. Synthesize new products from vegetable oils with an emphasis on soybean oil. Evaluate the effects of chemical and processing conditions on physical and chemical properties. Evaluate the performance, as well as economic and environmental benefits, of newly developed products in industrial applications. Enhance the performance of industrial products from vegetable oils using insights gained from structure/property relationships. Develop sustainable technologies/processes that enable the commercial polymerization of vegetable oils into high-value biobased products. Analyze, interpret, and disseminate findings in the form of reports, presentations, and publications in scientific journals. Develop a stakeholder base to advocate for enhancing ARS research programs and to enable commercialization of new biobased products. 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 Chemistry Series, 1320: A. Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR B. Combination of education and experience: course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Additional Requirements In addition to meeting the basic requirements for the series described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. GS-12: Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the duties of the position (e.g., organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, and oleochemistry) OR 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service OR a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-12 level are: Conducting research related to developing value-added biobased materials from agricultural commodities; AND Publishing research in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings, either in person or virtually. GS-13: Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-13 level are: Planning and conducting independent research related to developing value-added biobased materials from vegetable oils, lipids, or their derivatives; AND Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Presenting research findings at scientific conferences, either in person or virtually; AND Working with stakeholders to enhance research efforts and/or writing grant proposals to expand existing programs. GS-14: Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal Service. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-14 level are: Planning, conducting, and leading team research related to developing value-added biobased materials from vegetable oils, lipids, or their derivatives; AND Publishing research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Being invited to present research findings at scientific conferences, either in person or virtually; AND Writing project research plans, grant proposals, and/or patent applications. GS-15: Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal Service. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-15 level are: Managing and leading a team conducting research related to developing value-added biobased materials from vegetable oils; AND Publishing research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Being invited to present research findings at national and international scientific conferences, either in person or virtually; AND Serving as Principal Investigator on a collaborative research grant. 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 Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information 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. Vacant research positions may be filled at one of several grade levels depending upon the scientific impact of the person selected. For this reason, you are encouraged to apply at all grade levels. A peer review will be required for selections made at grades GS-13 and above and the selectee will be required to submit supplemental materials. 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. 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.