• Leading and supporting routine high-complexity molecular diagnostic testing—primarily next-generation sequencing (NGS) and/or PCR—to ensure accurate, timely, and reliable results.
• Designing, validating, and optimizing new molecular assays in compliance with CLIA, CAP, and institutional standards.
• Clinical service: Routinely perform one category of molecular testing, PCR or NGS assay.
• Maintaining and improving quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) programs, and supporting the Medical Director in ensuring regulatory compliance and inspection readiness.
• Supervising laboratory staff, managing performance (including addressing under-performance), and ensuring appropriate on-boarding, training, and mentorship.
• Investigating test failures or instrumentation issues, leading root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions to maintain laboratory efficiency and reliability.
• Working closely with physician pathologists, IT, and quality teams to implement laboratory initiatives and technical improvements that support clinical and research missions.
• Supporting research and development efforts, contributing to publications or presentations, and providing subject matter expertise in molecular diagnostics.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random drug testing, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
• This position has been designated Mission Essential. In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations, the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Molecular Scientist:

Degree: Bachelor's or graduate (or higher level) degree with major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes independently conducting molecular diagnostic procedures such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), next generation sequencing (NGS), or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH); contributing to assay validation, quality control and quality assurance; drafting or revising procedures and protocols; providing training and mentorship to laboratory staff or technologists; and contributing to research projects, method development, or publications. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-13).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Certification Preferred: Certification by a nationally recognized board such as MB (ASCP) - Molecular Biology or MLS( ASCP) - Medical Laboratory Scientist.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.