Job Summary
The National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) is recruiting for a Staff Scientist 1 in the Information Engineering Branch (IEB) to support the curation activities of the NCBI Taxonomy team.
NLM is a global leader in biomedical informatics and computational health data science and the world’s largest biomedical library. NLM’s legislative mandate is to support the essential work of acquiring, organizing, preserving, and disseminating biomedical information. NLM provides public access to this information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As part of NLM, NCBI performs applied research in data representation and analysis, including the development of computer-based systems for the storage, management, and retrieval of knowledge relating to molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry.
The NCBI Taxonomy team provides a curated classification and correct nomenclature for all organisms represented in GenBank and its partners in the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC). The activities of the NCBI Taxonomy team are reflected in nearly all NCBI sequence data resources, including BLAST, Gene, SRA, RefSeq, GEO, and NCBI Datasets, as well as in numerous data resources external to NCBI.
Taxonomic database curation includes verifying taxon names, ensuring that they are nomenclaturally correct, and that their classification is consistent with current knowledge. This activity involves frequent interactions with software developers on the team, as well as other NCBI teams who use the outputs of NCBI Taxonomy, sequence data submitters, and members of international research communities.
The incumbent will be responsible for:
• Verifying, correcting, classifying, and adding green plant and algae names (and other groups, as necessary) to the NCBI Taxonomy database
• Review of the taxonomic literature to identify curation needs and opportunities
• Outreach to relevant communities
• Communicating curation needs to software developers
DHHS, NIH, and NLM are Equal Opportunity Employers
The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs. Applications from women, persons from underrepresented groups, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged.
Required Qualifications
The ideal candidate may or may not be a United States citizen and must have a doctoral degree. We are looking for an individual with:
• A Ph.D. in a quantitative field, such as Biology, centered on Botany, with experience in Phycology desirable
• A broad knowledge of botanical nomenclature and the latest taxonomic literature
• A strong track record in research as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications
• Familiarity with phylogenetic systematics
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team in support of shared objectives
• Proven ability to work on interdisciplinary projects not directly related to their training
• Demonstrated experience in directing and coordinating complex research and development projects
• Exposure to commonly used scripting languages used by biologists, such as R and Python
• Basic experience in taxonomic and general data management including some familiarity with general bioinformatics formats such as JSON and XML
• Mentoring experience
Benefits
Salary is commensurate with research experience and accomplishments. A full package of benefits, including retirement, health, life, and long-term care insurance, Thrift Savings Plan participation, etc., is available.
The successful candidate will serve in a non-competitive appointment in the excepted service.
Equal Employment Opportunity
NIH/NLM encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. The U.S. government does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, pregnancy, and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. NIH/NLM will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities as appropriate. If you require reasonable accommodation during any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us.
Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure
If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450 to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency.
Foreign Education
Selectee who has completed part or all of their education outside of the United States must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. We will only accept the completed foreign education evaluation. For more information on foreign education verification, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. Verification must be received before the effective date of the appointment.
Reasonable Accommodation
You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.