| The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is a satisfying, exciting, and professionally rewarding place for a research scientist and others working in mission critical research to work.
It’s satisfying because our research solves important problems. ARS research scientists provide new approaches and new technologies needed by consumers, producers, and industry. We design these approaches in a manner that is safe to our environment. We seek ways to produce more and better food and fiber, to control insect pests and weeds safely, to get food to consumers in better condition, to improve human nutrition and well-being, to help protect soil, water, and air, to improve animal health, and to find new uses for agricultural commodities.
It’s exciting because so much of our research is on the leading edge of science, in highly visible programs with broad public support. Current research involves biotechnology, including molecular biology, genetic engineering, bioinformatics and membrane research; application of theories of artificial intelligence to computer technology; innovative approaches to pest control through insect neurochemistry and use of pheromones. Each ARS scientist is employed because of his or her unique training and abilities as a researcher.
In addition to research scientists, ARS employs many individuals in the biological, physical, and engineering fields with bachelor’s or master’s degrees to support the agency research mission. Positions such as Biological Science Laboratory Technician, Agricultural Science Research Technicians, Physical Science Technicians, and others, provide direct support to research scientists in completing their scientific research projects. Support scientists are also hired to assist in projects by maintaining and conducting research directed by research scientists. These support scientists and research technicians are critical to the completion of the many research projects throughout ARS.
| Major Scientific Occupations: |
| Agricultural Engineering |
Agronomy |
| Animal Science |
Biochemistry |
| Bioinformatics |
Biology |
| Chemistry |
Entomology |
| Food Science |
Genetics |
| Human Nutrition |
Hydrology |
| Immunology |
Microbiology |
| Molecular Biology |
Physical Science |
| Plant Science |
Soil Science |
| Veterinary Science |
Virology |
|
| Research Position Evaluation System
Grade levels for research scientist positions in ARS are set using the Research Position Evaluation System (RPES). The RPES is a peer review system based on the “person-in-the-job” concept. Under this concept, research scientists have open-ended promotion potential based on their personal research and leadership accomplishments, which can change the complexity and responsibility of their positions. For more information on the RPES process, visit the following website: http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/rpes/index.html |
