BIOLOGIST

Duties

The incumbent of this position will perform the following:

• Assist in the design, performance and documentation of experiments involving both standard techniques as well as the development of new techniques to evaluate the toxicity of FDA relevant compounds.
• Advise investigator on the resources and time required to complete an experiment and will ensure all equipment needed is in working order and calibrated prior to beginning the experiment.
• Maintain stocks of gases, pipettes, media, serum, co-factors, plates and other laboratory supplies required for cell cultures.
• Uses aseptic techniques and will participate in maintaining the cleanliness of the tissue culture facility.
• Review pertinent instructions, regulations, and literature and selects methods and procedures appropriate to the problem at hand with guidance from his/her supervisor.
• Write laboratory reports and maintain updated and detailed protocols of standard procedures using a word processing program such as micro-soft word.
• Compare the results of experiments with those obtained in previous related studies and will critically analyze results of experiments to determine if the data generated are accurate and valid.
• Provide training on basic methods and laboratory procedures to Visiting Scientists, summer students or postdoctoral fellas as needed.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for Biologist, GS-0401-09**,** you must meet both the Basic Requirement AND Specialized Experience as follows:

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

A.  I have a four year degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position. (You must submit your transcript(s) that demonstrates this coursework at time of application submission)

OR

B. I have a combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position. (You must submit your transcript(s) that demonstrates this coursework at time of application submission)

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement stated above, applicants must meet the following experience:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

Have one year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade of GS-07 or equivalent band level of responsibility in the federal supporting scientific/research staff in planning and conducting biological laboratory experiments, operating analytical instruments and applying aseptic techniques. Experience training others on laboratory management and maintaining laboratory compliance with institutional safety.

****NOTE:Volunteer experience may also be used as qualifying experience.

Education

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program.  For further information, click on foreign education.