Research Veterinary Medical Officer; Pathology

This position works in the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), Zoonotic and Emerging Disease Research Unit (ZEDRU).

The Research Scientist Veterinary Medical Officer (Pathologist) conducts basic and applied research on the mechanisms and characterizes immune responses against viral pathogens such as the viral ecology of Henipaviruses in endemic settings and intervention strategies to prevent their spread to domestic animals.

• Provide leadership in selecting the research path for studies on susceptible species including swine, cattle, and other animal models.
• Serve as Authorized Departmental Officer's Designated Representative (ADODR) for Specific Cooperative Agreements with collaborating research institutes and as team leader of assigned projects within the research project.
• Identify and propose productive research areas, perform independent research, and collaborate with scientists from within the ARS and from academia and private industry to best achieve the research objectives.
• Provide unique leadership and research skills to contribute to the identification, description, and characterization of the effects of zoonotic pathogens in livestock.
• Develop molecular, clinical, and post mortem techniques to understand virus-host interactions, and to develop methods or therapies to minimize or avoid infection and disease.
• Organize research, establish research priorities, lead in planning research projects, supervise execution of research, evaluate and review research, lead discussions on the interpretation of results, and report and publish research progress.
• Assures the studies of this Research Unit meet the highest standards of animal welfare and address the highest priorities of the animal industry, action agencies, and other user groups.
• Serve as the Chief Veterinary Pathologist for ZEDRU.

• You must be a US Citizen or US National
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./
• Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) database check required for work involving Biological Select Agents and Toxins.
• This is a Public Trust Position and requires that the incumbent be a United States Citizen.
• Must be registered and accepted into the Select Agent and Toxin program mandated by the Center for Disease Control/United States Department of Agriculture as appropriate to the position’s assignments.
• As a condition of employment, a security background investigation will be conducted and the requirements listed above must be met.
• A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities.
• For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the FDA.
• Where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational purposes, such immunization is voluntary.
• Must also pass periodic fitness for duty physicals. In addition, a medical clearance will be required in the event that it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required.
• Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, biosafety protocols specify a personal quarantine for employees working on specific infectious agents in designated areas of NBAF.
• As a condition for employment, all personnel entering these areas at NBAF shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises away from NBAF for a period of five (5) days after leaving the area.
• Currently, restricted species are cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine. Contact with horses, birds and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working near infectious agents affecting these species.
• Participation in and adherence to the facility’s Occupational Health Program;
  Participation in and adherence to the facility’s Personal Reliability Program;
• The ability to obtain/maintain a Security clearance;
  The ability to obtain/maintain Select Agent clearance. SAC and full background investigation required for positions working in BSL- 3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL-4 Facilities.