MICROBIOLOGIST

DutiesYou will utilize of advanced technologies in molecular biology, biochemistry and immunology for the identification of viral antigens/immunogens, as well as their purification, quantitation, structural and immunochemical characterization.You will submit research proposals to request funding and write annual progress reports indicating progress made toward the targeted objectives.You will perform biochemical procedures involving PCR, DNA sequencing, cloning, various types of chromatography, electrophoresis, immunoassays such as enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting for the purification.You will handle laboratory animals for the characterization of proteins as subunit vaccines to include immunization and bleeding of mice and non-human primates, as well as the determination of lethal virus doses to be used in challenge experiments.You will provide leadership in terms of exploring new and alternative procedures and determine what improvements can be made to include supervising/training investigators, visiting scientists, technicians and summer students.You will supervise technical personnel, planning and establishing their work schedules, reviewing work for accuracy and setting standards for acceptable work.You will design, coordinate and guide research methods for the measurements of immune responses and protective efficacy.Requirements Conditions of EmploymentMust be a US Citizen.Must be determined suitable for federal employment.Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.govApplicants must meet the Department of Defense (DoD) certification requirements: for firefighter positions must not have reached their 37th birthday by date of appointment. Information on exceptions and waivers: will be required to successfully complete a pre-appointment physical examination.Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.Per the preliminary nationwide injunction on E.O. 14043, COVID-19 vaccinations will not be implemented or enforced. For more information on vaccine status and workplace safety protocol requirements see Additional Information below.You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.Must have the ability to function as an independent principal investigatorMust experience in the techniques required to grow, maintain, and work with a variety of pathogenic viruses.Must have in-depth knowledge of cloning techniques, immunoassay technology, plaque reduction neutralization tests and diagnostic assay technology, sufficient to lead multiple research projects in support of the development of virus vaccines.Must have knowledge of techniques sufficient to suggest novel approaches to problem solving and ability to develop and implement major modifications or original techniques to meet the scientific goals. Qualifications In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience.ALL Applicants must meet the following Basic Requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:1. 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.OR2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.NOTE: POSITIVE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: This position has a Positive Education Requirement. In order to verify that you meet the positive education qualifications for this position, you MUST submit a complete copy of transcripts Failure to submit this information WILL result in an ineligible rating.In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Utilizing theories, principles, practices and techniques of molecular and cellular virology and immunology, for the production, purification and characterization of natural and recombinant antigens and antibodies as they relate to microbiological processes, procedures and practices;Using cloning techniques, immunoassay technology, including the plaque reduction neutralization test and diagnostic assay technology, sufficient to lead multiple research projects in support of the development of virus vaccines;Working as a principal investigator providing novel approaches to problem solving and ability to develop and implement major modifications or original techniques to meet the scientific goals and utilizing techniques required to grow, maintain, and work with a variety of pathogenic viruses;Compiling, organizing, analyzing and presenting research data in written form acceptable for publication in peer reviewed journals and in oral form acceptable for presentation at international scientific meetings; ANDDirecting a multifaceted, complex technical research program implementing/assessing modification, methods, procedures that require one of a kind approaches or the use of newly developed techniques, procedures or methods where no published guidance is available. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:.Education There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for the 0403 series at the GS-13 grade level. ALL Applicants must meet the following Basic Requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:1. Degree: microbiology degree; OR degree in 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.OR2.Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.For Graduate Level Education: Microbiology, or specific area of study such as bacteriology, virology, mycology, algology, protozoology, parasitology, immunology, serology, microbial genetics, or soil microbiology; or specific applied fields of microbiology such as clinical and public health microbiology, food technology, production processes, industrial fermentation, pollution, etc. Graduate study in related fields such as experimental pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, biochemistry, animal or plant physiology, genetics, plant pathology, and insect disease control, may also be pertinent, provided it has direct application to microbiological work. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the qualification requirements if the applicant can provide documentation indicating that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence when applying for further information, visit: . See the Office of Personnel Management's General Policies for information on crediting education. Additional informationMust keep abreast of recent innovations and advances in the field of virology, molecular biology, immunology and microbiology by reading journals, papers and other scientific data relevant to the field and by applying recent advances to the research protocol. You will develop vaccines and immunoassays for infectious agents. You will perform biochemical procedures involving PCR, DNA sequencing, cloning, various types of chromatography, electrophoresis, immunoassays such as enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting for the purification and characterization of various antigens and antibodies. You will conduct statistical, numerical and/or graphic analysis to record experiments and data. You will plan and carry out procedures to characterize and purify human and murine proteins including hybridomas with antibody activity.COVID VACCINATION INFORMATION: To comply with the recent preliminary nationwide injunction on Executive Order 14043, Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees, the Department of the Navy is not taking any action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. New hires will need to provide their vaccination status as well as comply with workplace safety protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program. Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments. If you are unable to apply online and request information about the Alternate Application process, please contact the Department of Navy's Employment Information Center. Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: ICTAP Applicants: To be considered well-qualified and exercise selection priority as an ICTAP candidate for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a rating in the highly qualified category or higher. For more information about ICTAP eligibility please review the following link: Help Help 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. Review our benefitsEligibility 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.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. When the application process is complete, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to the Occupational Questionnaire, along with your supporting documentation to determine your ability to demonstrate the following competencies:MANAGING HUMAN RESOURCESORAL COMMUNICATIONPLANNING AND EVALUATINGPROJECT MANAGEMENTRESEARCH AND ANALYSISWRITTEN COMMUNICATION You will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating selection procedures. Additional points are not added for veterans' preference; however, preference is still applied. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified- Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for announced position. Highly Qualified-Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for announced position. Qualified- Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for announced position. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. If after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities or you may be found ineligible/not qualified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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.