Summary This position is in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization, Pacific West Area (PWA), Westen Human Nutrition Research Center, Obesity Metabolism Unit located in Davis, CA. In this position, you will assist researchers who study the effects and mechanisms of action of the nutrition interventions on whole body, tissue/cell metabolism etc. This is a term, time-limited appointment with an initial duration no less than 13 months and can be extended up to a total of 10 years. Responsibilities Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment. Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. Prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory or field. Processes, prepares, and verifies samples such as blood, saliva, urine, and feces, in a laboratory environment. Searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory or field. Contributes ideas towards the planning and sequencing of the technical aspects of the research. 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. GS-07 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience maintaining laboratory equipment; participating in a research project in a laboratory setting; summarizing research data using computers. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Nutrition, Dietetics, Biochemistry, or Biology. OR A combination of the graduate education and specialized experience as described above. GS-08 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-08 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience calibrating specialized equipment used for evaluation procedures; keeping detailed records of experimental data; and developing new techniques to satisfy the needs of the research project. OR Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Nutrition, Dietetics, Biochemistry, or Biology. OR A combination of the graduate education and specialized experience as described above. 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. Education This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional 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 85 out of a possible 100. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. 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.