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Research Pharmacologist/Research Toxicologist/Research Microbiologist/Research Chemist

Department of Defense
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Research and Development Directorate
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
01/22/2021 to 02/04/2021
Salary
$103,690 to - $134,798 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Edgewood, MD
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel CONUS and OCONUS may be necessary to accomplish responsibilities.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Term
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DTRA-21-DH-11003899
Control number
590126000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

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This is a term appointment NTE 2 years may be extended up to 6 years.

This position is being filled under DoD Modified Direct Hire Authority, Section 1109; PL, 116-92, dated 12/20/2019 .

As a Research Pharmacologist/Research Toxicologist/Research Microbiologist/Research Chemist at the GS-0403/0405/0415/1320-13 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Plan, direct, and/or conduct research experiments to answer fundamental scientific questions relating to development of products that help defend against chemical and biological agents of interest to the DoD;
  • Conducting research of substantial complexity requiring significant professional knowledge and imagination in assessing and understanding the problems, developing plans and approaches, devising new methods or extending existing theory to new and unusual applications;
  • Process improvement, protocol development and recruitment of innovative technologies to be used in the development of new products;
  • Independently perform non-routine, highly specialized experimental procedures and participate in the design and modification of research protocols;
  • Activities relating to summarizing research data, preparing posters, and/or presenting results via conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.
  • Defines and conducts courses of investigation to achieve specified research objectives and generates and presents authoritative research results that increase scientific understanding of the fundamental principles and scientific applications associated with developing defenses against chemical and/or biological agents.
  • Serves as a researcher and project team member, responsible for planning, conducting, and presenting complex courses of investigation in support of assigned DoD programs.
  • Defines and develops promising, new basic research, formulates and recommends research policies and priorities, develops highly complex scientific proposals, and special studies, and defends findings and recommendations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Occasional Travel
  • Work Schedule: Full-time
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
  • PCS: Not Authorized
  • Subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing thereafter.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service:

  • Applying principles, theories, and concepts specialized knowledge in Pharmacology, Toxicology, Microbiology, Chemistry or related field.
  • Expert knowledge of, and skills in, applying cutting edge in vitro tools to identify mechanism of action of toxic chemicals. These tools may include iPSC derived three-dimensional tissue culture, micro physiological systems and/or human-on-a-chip.
  • Experience with methods to determine primary and secondary targets and/or receptors of pharmaceuticals, toxic chemicals or illicit drugs.
  • Experience with predictive toxicology or safety pharmacology, using either in vitro or in silico based methods, to determine the mechanism of toxicity and associated human relevance
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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0403/0405/0415/1320 series.


0403 Series: Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in C above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/microbiology-series-0403/

0405 Series: Degree: major in an appropriate biological, medical, veterinary, or physical science, or in pharmacy that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry and physiology and 12 semester hours in pharmacology.E
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/pharmacology-series-0405/

0415 Series: Degree: toxicology; or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/toxicology-series-0415/

1320 Series: Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics OR Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in F above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.G
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/chemistry-series-1320/

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Foreign Education

Additional information

Other Notes:

Position requires certification in the Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP) and/or the Chemical Personnel Reliability Program (CPRP), IAW AR 190-17 and/or AR 50-6. Enrollment in the BPRP and/or CPRP is a condition of employment, which requires random drug testing and medical evaluation IAW AR 190-17 and/or AR 50-6.

This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Science and Technology Management career field. The incumbent is required to become certified, Level II in the applicable career field within 24 months, unless a position requirements waiver is approved to extend the 24 months. The incumbent must obtain a minimum of 80 continuous learning points (CLPs) for every 2 year CLP period, with a goal of at least 40 annually.


This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at:
http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences.

Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements.

Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

For information on entitlement see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx




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