Biologist (Molecular)

National Institutes of Health • Montgomery County, MD

1d

About The Position

The Biologist (Molecular) works in the Department of Laboratory Medicine’s Hematology section, performing clinical laboratory testing in support of patient care and experiments supporting research programs. At the GS-0401-12 level, the role performs complex molecular biology tests related to the diagnosis of cancer and immune diseases, as well as specialized analytical procedures for diagnostic and research purposes. The biologist reviews quality-control data, supports accurate results, troubleshoots instruments and methods, and communicates with physicians about test interpretation and potential follow-up procedures. The position also contributes to methodological improvements and implementation of program and policy changes, including CLIA requirements.

This is a Tier 1 emergency-essential position requiring availability to support 24-hour, 365-day operations and reporting for duty under all circumstances. Weekend, night, regular, and/or holiday hours, as well as on-call or call-back duties, are required. The position has an education requirement and requires U.S. citizenship or proof of U.S. national status, successful completion of a background investigation and other pre-employment requirements, and a pre-employment medical examination with immunization evidence. A probationary or trial period may be required.

Requirements

• Meet the basic education requirement through a bachelor's or graduate degree in biological science, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or an appropriate related discipline; or through a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For the GS-12 level, qualify through three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a directly related Ph.D., a directly related Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or at least one year of qualifying experience equivalent to GS-11. A qualifying combination of post-baccalaureate education and experience may also meet 100% of the requirements.
• Qualifying experience must include specialized analytical procedures for diagnostic and research purposes; assisting in developing procedures or establishing parameters for correlation of test results; interacting with patient-care physicians to interpret results and suggest follow-up procedures; and troubleshooting instruments and test methods and documenting corrective actions.
• Meet the U.S. citizenship or U.S. national-status requirement by the closing date.
• Submit education transcripts; official transcripts are required from selectees before an official offer.
• If selected, pass a pre-employment medical examination, provide evidence of immunization, and be free from communicable diseases.
• Meet applicable background-investigation, qualification-verification, onboarding, and other job-related requirements.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Be available for weekend, night, regular and/or holiday hours, and on-call or call-back duties; as a Tier 1 emergency-essential employee, be ready and able to report under all circumstances for 24-hour, 365-day coverage.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex molecular biology tests related to the diagnosis of cancer and immune diseases.
• Perform specialized and technically demanding analytical procedures for diagnostic and research purposes.
• Review and analyze daily quality-control data and take appropriate steps to ensure quality results.
• Discuss test-result interpretation directly with patient-care physicians and suggest follow-up procedures that may help answer clinical questions.
• Troubleshoot instruments and test methods, document corrective actions, and perform troubleshooting with minimal support, seeking guidance as needed.
• Assist with training in troubleshooting techniques.
• Investigate solutions to methodological problems, analyze testing systems, and devise alternative approaches to ensure quality results.
• Work with department leadership, senior investigators, and technical staff to implement new or changing programs and policies, including CLIA-related changes to staffing, training, reporting, documentation, and inspection requirements.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications or a special Government need, subject to approval and hiring-manager discretion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior