About this role
Job SummaryThis position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. This announcement will close at 11:59 PM, on the day that 50 applications have been received or on the closing date, whichever is first.
QualificationsWHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Basic Qualifications: You must possess one of the following- A. 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 B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Minimum Qualifications: You must have one year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service performing at least ALL of the following: Serving as a senior scientist and nationally recognized technical authority in viral diagnostics. Developing, implementing, optimizing, validating, and troubleshooting molecular and genomic assays for research and surveillance applications (eg. Sanger sequencing, Next-Generation Sequencing, bioinformatics analysis and pipeline development, and molecular genomics). Communicating and collaborating with a variety of internal and external partners including international ministries of health/laboratories, state and local public health laboratories and epidemiologists, public health agencies/societies (e.g., CSTE, APHL), and/or NGO partners. Planning, designing, and leading basic and applied research studies, particularly as related to development of novel diagnostics for viruses that cause diseases of humans. Leading a team of laboratory staff and direct them towards projects and tasks related to the Branch's priorities Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above. 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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited. OPM Qualification General Policies Website
Major DutiesWHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY As a Lead Research Microbiologist, you will use your knowledge and experience to optimize business results and customer experience by: Plans, prioritizes, initiates, designs, conducts, coordinates, directs and leads basic and applied research studies, particularly as related to development of novel diagnostics for virus families that cause diseases of humans. Develop broadly reactive molecular diagnostic tests to identify and characterize viral agents that may cause diseases for which no known diagnosis is currently available. Provides consultation and advice to the agency in areas of personal research expertise. Leading a team of scientists in an area requiring a systematic attack on problems recognized as difficult or is independently responsible for attacking difficult research problems or provides technical guidance in broad subject matter areas. Ensure that the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values are communicated to the team and integrated into the team's strategies, goals, objectives, work plans and work products and services.