PDF versionJob Summary
NOTE: This is a part-time position (20 hours/week). Benefits and time-off accrual will be prorated and based on your part-time work schedule.
Major Duties
NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 4 Years). Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 4). Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4-year maximum). The appointment to a Term position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment.
Employee will be assigned to the Research Service, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health Care System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Major duties include:
Plans and Develops Research Projects: 20%
- Solve specific problems in the area of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Perform lecture searches regarding the biology of hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis
- Determine appropriateness of assays, sampling and test procedures to obtain answers to specific questions
- Develop and implement new techniques or experimental models
- Develop novel studies and initiate research projects leading to grant proposals
- Plan and execute experiments for proposed research goals
- Analyze results of experiments to determine accuracy
- Perform experiments with human samples using genetic, molecular biology, biochemical and immunological techniques and assays
- Manage and organize biological repositories
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the laboratory
- Mentor, train and teach basic and advance laboratory research skills to undergraduates, graduates and post-doctorate students
- Collect, analyze, organize and record experimental data
- Analyze, organize, and communicate research results
- Prepare the data in final form for publication
- Prepare written and oral reports for submission to grants
- Prepare manuscript for publication
- Prepare IRB applications
DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
Qualifications
This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placements Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: "Knowledge and experience in executing planned experiments in genetics (DNA and RNA analysis), molecular biology (RT-PCR), endocrinology (Hormone assays) and literature review research related to PTSD, and electro sonography in kidney patients." PLUS
BASIC REQUIREMENT: To qualify for this position, you must meet one of the following Basic Requirements as well as the additional qualification requirements. Basic Requirement Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college leading to a bachelor's degree or higher in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the work of this Research Biologist position. (Copies of transcripts are required at the time of application)
OR
Basic Requirement Combination Education and Experience: Possession of a combination of education that included a major field of study or specific course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, plus appropriate experience or additional education that demonstrates possession of the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the work of this Research Biologist position. (Copies of transcripts are required at the time of application)
PLUS
Additional Qualification Requirements: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement above, you must also meet one of the following additional education and/or experience requirements. Select the statement below that best describes your experience and/or education to meet the specific qualification requirements for this position at the GS-11 grade level. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of a Research Biologist. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level in the Federal Service. Qualifying specialized experience includes: design, plan and develop research projects, to solve specific problems in the area of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), perform literature searches regarding the biology of hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, determining the appropriateness of assays, sampling and test procedures; plan and execute experiments for the proposed research goals; analyze results of experiments; perform experiments with human samples using genetic, molecular biology, biochemical and immunological techniques and assays; manage and organize biological repositories, and day-to-day operations of the laboratory; mentor, train and teach basic and advanced laboratory research skills to undergraduate, graduate and post-doctorate students; collect and analyze data, and verify data is calculated and analyzed correctly and free of technical errors; prepare the data in final form for publication. (To be creditable, experience must be clearly detailed in your resume)
OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE (Transcript Required): Successful completion of a Masters or equivalent graduate degree with a major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the work of this Research Biologist position. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study. Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
OR
COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (Transcript Required): Equivalent combination of successfully completed related graduate level education and specialized experience as described above, to meet the total experience requirements for this position at the GS-11 level. Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
Administration and ManagementAnalytical ReasoningResearchTechnical Competence IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Pay Range
$70,286.00 - $91,370.00