Microbiologist

Food and Drug Administration • Silver Spring, MD

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is with the Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Tobacco Products, Office of Science, Division of Product Science. It is not fully remote; the selectee must report in person regularly to a designated FDA facility according to agency telework policy.

The Microbiologist serves as a Technical Project Lead (TPL) Coordinator for a multidisciplinary review team assessing pre-market applications for proposed new tobacco products. The role provides authoritative microbiology recommendations and guidance to Center review organizations, review scientists, and regulated industry. It also develops the Technical Project Lead Review (TPLR) report and provides technical support, clarifications, edits, and rationale and justification for marketing orders for products under review. The position represents the Center as a microbiology authority at local, state, and national meetings concerning regulated products.

Requirements

• Meet the basic education requirement for the Microbiology Series, 0403: a qualifying degree in microbiology, or in biology, chemistry, or basic medical science with specified coursework; alternatively, qualifying equivalent coursework combined with appropriate experience or additional education.
• For GS-14, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, including assessing pre-market applications for proposed new tobacco products, drafting scientific reviews for application pathways such as Premarket Product Applications, Substantial Equivalence, Exemption, or Modified Risk Product Applications, and advising on regulated products.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements by 11/06/2026.
• Be a U.S. citizen, unless an exception is explicitly stated in the announcement.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements.
• Pass a security investigation.
• Meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the announcement closing date and continue to meet them through the hiring process.
• Submit supporting documentation for eligibility and qualifications; submit transcripts when using education to meet requirements.
• Provide exact employment dates and hours worked per week for part-time experience when describing qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Microbiologist and Technical Project Lead Coordinator for a multidisciplinary team assessing pre-market applications for proposed new tobacco products.
• Provide microbiology recommendations and guidance to Center review organizations, review scientists, and regulated industry.
• Develop the Technical Project Lead Review report and provide technical support, clarifications, and edits to the rationale and justification of marketing orders for products under review.
• Represent the Center as a microbiology authority at local, state, and national meetings concerning regulated products.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; employees and their families have access to a range of benefits, with specific eligibility dependent on position type.

What This Job Offers

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