Job Summary

The primary purpose of the position is to design and perform experiments for a VA Merit Review Grant and other projects as assigned. The position is established to meet identified need and to comply with research regulations.

Major Duties

Qualifications

TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION YOU MUST FIRST MEET THE BASIC REQUIREMENT:

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Successfully completed a full 4-year course of study at an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. NOTE: You must submit transcripts with your application. Education will not be credited without documentation.

OR

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 that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of a Research Biologist. NOTE: Your experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts are required.

AND

In addition to meeting the Basic Education Requirement you must also meet at least one of the following:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) in Federal service that has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of Research Biologist GS-7. Specialized experience includes: preparing research animals for experiments; safely using and maintaining laboratory equipment; planning, preparing, and performing experiments using a variety of in vitro and in vivo animal models; preparing data for publication; performing various general and microsurgical procedures with skill and dexterity; and developing, adapting, and refining new techniques in the laboratory while maintaining detailed accurate notes in order to reproduce experimental results. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented in your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate level education from an accredited college or university in courses related to the field of biological studies that provided me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Eighteen (18) semester hours is usually equivalent to one full year of study. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: An equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate level education, as described above, that demonstrates my ability to perform the duties of this position. NOTE: Your experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts are required.

OR

SUPERIOR EDUCATION: Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the baccalaureate level in regards to my biological sciences degree by class rank, grade point average, or national scholastic honor society membership, as described in the qualifications section of this announcement. NOTE: You must submit proof from your educational institution that you meet one of these criteria.

AND

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: 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 Placement 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: Experience developing mouse models and conducting experiments using various high throughput molecular platforms. (Your experience must be fully documented in your resume to receive credit). You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

BiologyBiomedical Equipment TechnologyLife Sciences and SystemsResearch 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

$42,246.00 - $54,921.00

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