Biological Scientist

Overview

This role sits within the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and focuses on scientific work that supports plant health protection efforts. The selected professional will collaborate with scientists and technical staff across APHIS, the Agricultural Research Service, universities, private industry, and international organizations to help improve and sustain exclusion, detection, quarantine, eradication, treatment, inspection, and response programs for plant protection.

What You Will Do

• Provide scientific direction for qualitative and quantitative biomolecular data analysis tied to invasive species management, including arthropods, diseases, and other plant pests.
• Assess, from a scientific perspective, the likelihood that quarantine-significant exotic pests may enter, establish, and spread within the United States.
• Collect, verify, and analyze biomolecular data used for pest identification and diagnostic work.
• Design detection and inspection methods, including statistically sound sampling approaches for surveys of high-risk pests.
• Estimate pest presence or absence using multivariate statistical analysis of sampling results and infestation-related factors.
• Review work plans, research proposals, experimental designs, manuscripts, and proposed PPQ protocols to confirm statistical validity and practical relevance.
• Carry out other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Applicants must satisfy all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date, including any specialized experience and/or education requirements.

The basic educational requirement is a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or another closely related discipline appropriate to the position. Another qualifying route is a combination of education and experience, such as post-secondary coursework equivalent to a major: 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in one of those fields, plus suitable experience or additional coursework.

For the GS-11 level, candidates must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level. This experience may come from public or private sector work and should show the ability to:

• Work effectively in teams or working groups on scientific issues affecting plant health or agricultural programs.
• Support researchers with scientific investigations involving biological systems.
• Plan and conduct studies in plant protection, biological control, pest diagnostics and identification, surveys, eradication, exclusion, molecular biology, omics, or comparable areas.
• Interpret and evaluate scientific publications, reports, datasets, and similar materials related to the plant sciences, including biology, ecology, microbiology, entomology, and molecular genetics/genomics.
• Communicate scientific findings clearly in both oral and written form to scientific organizations, industry, academia, government bodies, or the public.

As an alternative for GS-11, applicants may qualify with 3 years of progressively advanced graduate study leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be used.

Transcripts are required when the position calls for specific coursework or a degree in a particular field, or when qualification is based on education or a mix of education and experience. Any qualifying education must have been completed at an accredited school, college, or university.

Education and specialized experience may be combined for GS-11 qualification if the total reaches at least 100 percent. All relevant experience counts, including paid, unpaid, and volunteer service such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and similar organizations.

Additional Information

This is a full-performance role, and developmental grade levels may involve narrower assignments, less independence, and lower complexity.

APHIS is an emergency response agency. Employees may be assigned rotating temporary duty in support of emergency programs at various points during their careers.

Pay and Schedule

The position offers a salary range of $74,678 to $103,399 per year.

Start date: June 30, 2026. Application closing date: July 7, 2026.

About USDA APHIS

USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission is to support domestic and international agricultural markets while protecting the health and welfare of animals and plants in the United States. APHIS plays a key role in safeguarding American agriculture and public interests through its work in domestic and global markets.