Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Biologist

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Cancer Institute
This job announcement has closed

Summary

If you are an exceptionally talented, knowledgeable, and motivated individual with experience in providing laboratory assistance to one or more senior investigators, performing various laboratory experiments in support of research programs, AND you want to play a significant role in a dynamic organization, then consider joining the NIH!

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/20/2024 to 12/24/2024
Salary
$82,764 to - $128,956 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Locations
Frederick County, MD
1 vacancy
Montgomery County, MD
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - Not-to-Exceed 4 years.
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NIH-NCI-DH-25-12643719
Control number
825122500

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. Foreign nationals or legal permanent residents are not eligible for consideration.

Duties

Help

  • Plan and implement assigned experiments and protocols.
  • Recommend, develop, and modify methods and procedures to meet the experimental objectives.
  • Analyze and interpret data and prepare summaries of laboratory findings in final form for publication in reports and papers to be presented at scientific meetings or publication in scientific journals.
  • Train others on the methods and procedures used in the laboratory.
  • Calibrate and operate a variety of laboratory instruments used to perform tests, analyses and other laboratory procedures.
  • Assist in managing a laboratory budget.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Position requires Education. Please submit transcripts with your application.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a Biologist, GS-0401 position, you must have:

A. completed the requirements for a bachelor's (or graduate) degree in a biological science, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to this position, from an accredited college or university; OR

B. a combination of experience and education which includes courses comparable to a major in a biological science, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to this position, AND appropriate experience or additional education which demonstrates similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the duties of this position.

In addition, in order to qualify for a Biologist, GS-0401 position at the GS-11 level, you must have:

A. 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR

B. 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: recommending methods and assisting the scientist in designing the experiment; analyzing and interpreting data from laboratory experiments; assisting in the preparation of research papers by preparing materials and methods and results sections ; and using and maintaining a variety of laboratory instruments and ensuring laboratory equipment is calibrated and in working order; OR

C. a combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

In addition to meeting the Basic Education Requirements, in order to qualify for the Biologist position at the GS-12 level:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: developing, planning, and implementing scientific experiments and experimental protocols; investigating research objectives; analyzing research data by using statistical methods such as dispersion, analysis of variance, regression and correlation analysis; writing reports, analytical interpretations, conclusions, or recommendations, typically for scientific publication; and calibrating and operating sophisticated laboratory instruments to conduct tests and analyses.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12643719

Education

These positions have an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

  • These positions are designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" positions and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
  • A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
  • This is a term appointment. This appointment is not permanent. If selected, your initial appointment may be any length of time between 13 months and 4-years. We may exercise the option of extending a term appointment up to the 4-year limit, but any extension is not guaranteed. Only the Office of Personnel Management may authorize a 1-year extension beyond the 4th year. After the expiration date of your appointment, you will be separated from service even if you have competitive status as a prior permanent federal employee.
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should also apply online to this announcement in order to receive consideration.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Visit our Applicant FAQs page for helpful information on the application process.
  • Visit our Total Compensation page and this sample for a detailed look into the benefits, awards, leave, retirement, and other incentives employees may receive as part of a rewarding work environment.
  • If selected, you may be eligible to receive a salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications and/or a special need of the Government for your services. This applies to employees paid under the General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) pay systems and is at the discretion of the hiring manager. A salary above the minimum must be approved before the appointment.

How you will be evaluated

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

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

The position(s) advertised in this announcement are covered by a direct hire authority. Traditional rating and ranking of applicants, including category rating, does not apply to this vacancy. You will be initially evaluated against the basic qualifications only. Qualified applicants will be referred for consideration in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management direct hire guidelines. Veterans' Preference does not apply to positions covered by a direct hire authority.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.