Supervisory Research Health Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • San Antonio, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Research Health Scientist serves as Associate Director for Research (AD/R) for the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC) at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS). The role is responsible for managing GRECC research programs with regional and national impact on the health and health care of older Veterans, as well as international impact on aging research and treatments for non-Veterans. The position is based in San Antonio, Texas, and is not virtual; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within commuting distance.

The incumbent supervises research health scientists and basic laboratory personnel, equipment lifecycle protocols, and operations for six wet laboratories. They lead an active, funded translational research program focused on immune and inflammatory mechanisms of aging and age-associated disease, including complement and anaphylatoxin signaling, immune senescence, inflammaging, and cardiopulmonary fibrosis. The role includes research design and execution, grant administration and development, clinical and translational studies, staff mentorship, and management of research resources and programs.

This is a full-time federal position with a Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. schedule. Ad hoc, occasional non-recurring telework may be authorized and discussed during the interview process. Recruitment and relocation incentives are not authorized, and a Critical Skills Incentive is not approved. The position requires a one-year probationary period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to independently design, conduct, and disseminate externally funded translational research on immune and inflammatory mechanisms of aging and their contribution to age-associated chronic disease.
• Research expertise in complement and anaphylatoxin signaling, immune senescence and inflammaging, and inflammatory consequences of complement-mediated barrier disruption in cardiopulmonary fibrosis and related age-associated vulnerability, demonstrated by a sustained record of peer-reviewed publications and research funding.
• Experience leading diverse, multidisciplinary geriatric research teams at all staff levels through collaboration, mentorship, and project management.
• Experience leading competitively funded project teams supported by NIH, the Department of Defense, foundations, and/or public or private sponsors, and mentoring research staff and trainees in an interdisciplinary environment.
• A bachelor's or graduate/higher-level degree with a major in a medical, health sciences, or allied sciences field appropriate to the work. The degree must be from an appropriately accredited program; transcripts are required.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in Federal service, including aging, infection, and autoimmunity research; advanced complement and anaphylatoxin signaling; immune dysregulation and complement-mediated inflammation; and susceptibility to cardiopulmonary fibrosis.
• Specialized experience leading an active grant-funded team and coordinating productive research across collaborating disciplines, including immunology, pulmonology, cardiology, geriatrics, rheumatology, infectious diseases, pathology, and computational biology.
• Experience with clinical research program design and implementation in aging, clinical data management, resource management, grant proposal preparation, personnel supervision, research budgets, and IRB protocols for human-subject and biospecimen-based studies.
• Experience must be documented on the resume with job title, duties, start and end month/year, and hours worked per week.
• Must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment; selected applicants must complete onboarding and a background/security investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must be able to work in research laboratory and clinical environments; aversions or related allergies incompatible with these environments may preclude the work.

Responsibilities

• Supervise research health scientists and basic laboratory program staff, equipment lifecycle protocols, and operational requirements for six wet laboratories.
• Develop methods, approaches, and procedures for grant-funded clinical and translational research, including biomarker discovery using human biospecimens, molecular profiling, and disease models.
• Participate in qualitative data collection and analysis and serve as Principal Investigator for a currently funded research program.
• Evaluate research results and assess their potential effects on facility practice and policy.
• Perform complex analytical work and interpret results to support a successful research program.
• Administer funded research, including grant salary resources, multi-year and multi-source budgets, and Institutional Review Board protocols for human-subject and biospecimen-based studies.
• Manage continuation of approved research programs, initiation of new research, and termination of disapproved programs.
• Prepare and submit grant proposals and pursue funding opportunities from NIH, the Department of Defense, foundations, and public and private sponsors.
• Develop and deliver presentations and provide and justify recommendations for assigned areas, staff, programs, and projects.
• Lead multidisciplinary, aging-focused research teams through collaboration, mentorship, and project management.
• Hear and resolve group grievances and employee complaints, mentor and guide staff, and resolve minor disciplinary issues.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families.
• Prior work or military service may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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