Interdisciplinary Research Nutritionist / Physiologist / Biologist

Summary

This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Services, Field Organization, Plains Area, Responsive Agricultural Food Systems Research Unit, College Station, TX. In this position, you will conduct research that focuses on innovations in the food system and nutritional environment to improve human health outcomes and prevent chronic disease.

Duties

• Lead and conduct interdisciplinary research focused on innovations in the food system, diet and nutritional environment to improve human health outcomes and prevent chronic disease.
• Focus research on health impacts of foods or dietary patterns and their interactions with individual biological variability.
• Design, implement, and analyze research studies (including clinical trials) that integrate precision nutrition frameworks, utilizing advanced analytical platforms such as metabolomics, proteomics, and multi-omics data integration.
• Conduct human nutrition trials focused on nutrient absorption, disposition or health impacts in either controlled feeding or cohort-based settings.
• Investigate food-based approaches for obesity and chronic disease prevention focusing on metabolism, metabolic programming, or human behavior.
• Publish and present research findings, preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and delivering presentations at scientific meetings, workshops, and collaborating institutions.
• Develop collaborations with university, industry, and government scientists to advance research on nutrition, food systems, and individualized health outcomes and transfer relevant knowledge, tools and methods to stakeholders.
• Supervise and provide research oversight to ARS staff, postdocs, students, and cooperative personnel, including assigning work, providing guidance, reviewing progress, and supporting equal employment opportunities.

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 Requirements - Dietetics and Nutrition Series - 0630 Applicants must meet one of the following requirements for all grade levels: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in the fields of dietetics, food, nutrition, food service management, institution management, or related science. The educational program must have been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (external link) (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 have been in accordance with the qualifying requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) (external link) (formerly American Dietetic Association (external link) (ADA) prior to January 1, 2012) in effect at the time of graduation. Completion of a coordinated undergraduate program, internship, or other clinical component approved by AND (formerly ADA) for dietitians or nutritionists. Professional registration as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Basic Requirements - Physiologist Series - 0413 Degree: in one of the basic animal sciences or physiology; or a related discipline or field of science that included at least 24 semester hours in the basic animal sciences, of which 10 semester hours were in animal physiology. Evaluation of Education: Courses such as anatomy; cytology; invertebrate and vertebrate zoology; embryology; entomology; animal, dairy, and poultry husbandry; nutrition; genetics; and physiology may be used to meet the 24-semester-hour requirement in the basic animal sciences. Courses in physiology, animal or human physiology, cellular physiology, or courses that were well oriented toward animal or human physiology, e.g., some advanced courses in biochemistry, are qualifying as animal physiology courses. Courses in related fields such as cytology and microbiology (including microbial physiology) may also be qualifying, provided the course work dealt directly with the application of scientific principles underlying animal physiology, or with the methodology and techniques applied in animal physiology work. Basic Requirements - Biology Series - 0401 Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Additional Requirements In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-12: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level of this position include: Assisting with developing precision nutrition research and study execution; Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting experimental data; Preparing scientific reports and supporting lab personnel. GS-13: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level of this position include: Independently conceiving and conducting portions of precision-nutrition research; Developing research protocols and analytical methods relevant to clinical nutrition or diet feeding studies; Performing advanced data and statistical analysis, like experience with -omics methods; and Writing full manuscripts and coordinating with collaborators. GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-14 level of this position include: Leading precision nutrition research or studying diet disease relationships or chronic-disease research projects; Designing and executing detailed prospective observational or RCT clinical studies or experience of participation in large multisite cohorts or biological studies; Developing advanced methodologies and authoring high-impact publications; Directing interdisciplinary teams and supervising research staff. Publishing research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals. GS-15: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-15 level of this position include: Leading major nutrition research programs with documented publication record and national impact; Directing multi-institutional research initiatives, grants and collaborative research.; Experience participating in Symposia that define the state of the discipline or introduce new areas in the field; Experience managing a research program, including personnel, equipment and fiscal resources; Publishing independent research findings related to nutrition as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals and have record of extramural funding. 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. To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications. 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. This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series/position titles listed. In addition to the specialized experience requirements, applicants must submit proof that they meet the educational requirements for at least one of the series described in the announcement. Applicants may only be appointed to job series/position titles for which they meet all experience and educational requirements. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13066648 Other Information

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. 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.