About this role
Job SummaryPlease note: There is no pay associated with this position. This position serves as Without Compensation (WOC) Research Biologist within the Office of Research and Development (ORD). The VA Research Program strives to promote Veteran-centered care to improve patient experiences and outcomes across VA healthcare and community settings, and to advance value-driven care by providing Veterans the highest quality care at the lowest financial burden.
QualificationsYou may qualify based on your experience as described below: Experience: You must possess general experience in any type of work that demonstrates designing and executing biochemical methods such as extraction of ribonucleic acid and protein, quantification, and characterization of primary cultures of vascular smooth muscle cells; or (2) generating and characterizing genetically modified animal models to study human diseases. AND, Education: You must possess a degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is predominantly sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there will be some walking, standing, bending and carrying of items of moderate weight such as large binders, banker style file boxes, meeting materials, papers, books or small parts. Hand and eye coordination for delicate testing procedures may be the only special physical demand required to perform the work.
Major DutiesMajor Duties: Design and perform experiments involving molecular and cellular biology, cell culture, and animal model work and analyze data in the field of diabetic retinal retinopathy. Work with murine models and human donor eyes. Perform molecular assays, imaging quantification and cross model integration. Utilize laboratory techniques including cellular and molecular biology experiments and analysis; immunohistochemistry and histochemistry for; light microscopy and image analysis; western blots; ELISA; sterile laboratory procedures; RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, Western Blot, real time qPCR. Develop, adapt, and refine new techniques in the laboratory. Prepare manuscripts for publication in scientific journals. Perform various general and microsurgical procedures with skill and sufficient dexterity that are essential in preparing research animals/ tissues for experiments. Work Schedule: Intermittent (Without Compensation)RequirementsU.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).