Without Compensation (WOC) - Research Biological Laboratory Technician

Summary

Please note: There is no pay associated with this position.

This position serves as Without Compensation Research Biological Laboratory Technician 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.

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Duties

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The Biological Laboratory Technician performs a variety of routine, entry-level laboratory support duties in a biomedical research environment. Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing laboratory reagents, buffers, and media according to established protocols.
• Performing basic laboratory techniques such as pipetting, aliquoting, and measuring samples.
• Processing biological specimens, including labeling, recording, and organizing sample inventories.
• Assisting in the setup, calibration, cleaning, and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Following established laboratory safety procedures, including handling chemicals and biological materials appropriately.
• Collecting, recording, and organizing experimental data in accordance with laboratory standards.
• Maintaining laboratory workspace cleanliness and compliance with biosafety standards.
• Supporting senior researchers by performing routine tasks that contribute to ongoing research activities.

Work Schedule: Intermittent (Without Compensation)

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Appointment is Without Compensation (WOC) and does not convey competitive status, career tenure, grade, or salary.
• WOC appointees must comply with all VHA research safety requirements, including biosafety training and laboratory regulations applicable to research duties.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/17/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Basic Requirement - Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)

All applicants must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement for the Biological Science Technician Series (0404) by satisfying one of the following:

1. Specialized Experience: Experience that demonstrates the ability to perform biological or biomedical laboratory support work. Examples include tasks such as preparing reagents, pipetting, recording experimental data, processing biological samples, maintaining laboratory equipment, or performing routine laboratory procedures.

OR

2. Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in a biological, chemical, physical, or related scientific field; OR at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific courses (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, agriculture, etc.), of which at least 6 semester hours are directly related to the position.

OR

3. Combination of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be qualifying. Education must include the minimum semester hours indicated above.

Specialized Experience

In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), applicants must also have experience performing basic biological or biomedical laboratory procedures , such as:

• Preparing reagents or solutions
• Pipetting and handling laboratory samples
• Processing biological specimens
• Maintaining laboratory equipment
• Collecting, recording, or organizing experimental data

Experience may be gained through coursework-based laboratory classes, academic research projects, internships, volunteer work, or paid work.

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 requires some standing, walking, bending, carrying light items (e.g., laboratory supplies or sample trays), and typical laboratory hand/eye coordination. Personal protective equipment may be required.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at .

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: .

Additional information

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.