RNA Therapeutic Analyst

Summary

NIST is seeking a RNA Therapeutic Analyst to develop and implement novel analytical methods for RNA-based therapeutics. The position supports NISTs biomanufacturing program and primarily involves the use of chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods.

This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Duties

In this position you will:

• Research and develop novel analytical methods for the assessment of critical quality attributes (CQAs) of RNA-based biotherapeutics
• Design and implement cutting-edge chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods for the detection and characterization of impurities in RNA biotherapeutics
• Apply specialized experience in RNA-based therapeutics to design and characterize reference materials to meet stakeholder needs
• Analyze and interpret research data and disseminate results through publications and presentations

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Travel may be required to conferences.
• Bargaining Unit Position: No

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

DEGREE: ENGINEERING . To be acceptable the program must: (1) lead to a bachelors degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics such as optics heat transfer soil mechanics or electronics.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE -- college-level education training and/or technical experience that furnished a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering and (2) a good understanding both theoretical and practical of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI) Engineer in Training (EIT)1 or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State the District of Columbia Guam or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g. State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example an applicant who attains registration through a State Boards eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.

Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States the District of Columbia Guam and Puerto Rico.

Applicants who have passed the EIT examination and have completed all the requirements for either (a) a bachelors degree in engineering technology (BET) from an accredited college of university that included 60 semester hours of courses in the physical mathematical and engineering sciences or (b) a BET from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) may be rated eligible for certain engineering positions at GS-5. Eligibility is limited to positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of the engineering technology program. Applicants for positions that involve highly technical research development or similar functions requiring an advanced level of competence in basic science must meet the basic requirements in paragraph A. Because of the diversity in kind and quality of BET programs graduates of other BET programs are required to complete at least 1 year of additional education or highly technical work experience of such nature as to provide reasonable assurance of the possession of the knowledge skills and abilities required for professional engineering competence. The adequacy of this background must be demonstrated by passing the EIT examination.

academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical mathematical and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A

curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelors degree in an appropriate scientific field e.g. engineering technology physics chemistry architecture computer science mathematics hydrology or geology may be accepted in lieu of a bachelors degree in engineering provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience e.g. in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)

Note: An applicant who meets the basic requirements as specified in A or B above except as noted under B.1. may qualify for positions in any branch of engineering unless selective factors indicate otherwise.

IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC QUALIFICATION listed above: All applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level (or ZP-II at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience:

1) Performing liquid chromatographic analysis of critical quality attributes of RNA-based biotherapeutics
2) Performing mass spectrometric analysis of RNA-based biotherapeutics to detect and characterize impurities AND
3) Interpreting research data and summarizing findings in presentations and publications.

OR

Masters or equivalent graduate degree

OR

A combination of education and experience

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.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.

Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Educations website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.

Additional information

This position is covered under NISTs Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS) a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!

• We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
• Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
• You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
• All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
• A trial period may be required.
• This appointment may be extended up to four years without further competition.

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information please visit our Careers website.

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.

Required Experience:

IC