Chemist

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • Atlanta, GA

31d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Environmental Health, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY As a(n) Chemist, you will: - Conducting complex chemical analyses of clinical specimens using advanced analytical methods to generate accurate, sensitive, and scientifically defensible results. - Operating, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting mass spectrometers, liquid and gas chromatography systems, and related analytical laboratory equipment. - Developing, validating, adapting, and improving analytical methods for detecting and measuring chemical warfare agents, industrial chemicals, natural toxins, and metabolites. - Conducting scientific investigations, reviewing literature, designing experiments, interpreting findings, and preparing reports, publications, and presentations on research results. - Providing technical consultation and direction, collaborating with internal and external researchers, and ensuring laboratory activities comply with applicable safety and CLIA requirements.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service
• Suitable for federal employment
• Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• All information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.
• Documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• Financial disclosure statement may be required.
• Probationary (or trial) period may be required.
• Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• One-year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following: Developing and optimizing analytical methods using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for chemical identification and testing across multiple sample matrices, including human specimens, particularly when established methods require adaptation; Performing validation experiments for analytical methods, monitor key quality metrics, and follow established quality systems to ensure testing meets CLIA, ISO, or equivalent regulatory standards; Operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining advanced laboratory instrumentation and software (e.g., LC-MS systems and data analysis tools); use available information resources and contribute to routine databases or data-capture improvements; Executing complex chemical analyses with high accuracy and sound technical judgment; identify and resolve unexpected problems in experimental procedures or data interpretation within established protocols.

Responsibilities

• Conducting complex chemical analyses of clinical specimens using advanced analytical methods to generate accurate, sensitive, and scientifically defensible results.
• Operating, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting mass spectrometers, liquid and gas chromatography systems, and related analytical laboratory equipment.
• Developing, validating, adapting, and improving analytical methods for detecting and measuring chemical warfare agents, industrial chemicals, natural toxins, and metabolites.
• Conducting scientific investigations, reviewing literature, designing experiments, interpreting findings, and preparing reports, publications, and presentations on research results.
• Providing technical consultation and direction, collaborating with internal and external researchers, and ensuring laboratory activities comply with applicable safety and CLIA requirements.

Benefits

• moving expenses
• recruitment or relocation incentive
• student loan repayment
• superior qualifications appointment
• creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service

What This Job Offers

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