Microbiologist

Summary

This position is located in the Research Service at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital (Madison VA), a component of the VA Great Lakes Health Care System. The Madison VA Research Service represents a significant research enterprise within the Department of Veterans Affairs, hosting collaborative research activities dedicated to improving the health and outcomes of Veterans through rigorous scientific investigation, quality data collection, and sound laboratory methodology.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 3 Years). Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 4). Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4-year maximum). The appointment to a Term position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be noncompetitively converted to permanent employment. Major Duties: The position serves as a Microbiologist supporting clinical trials and basic science research projects. Conducts and Design Microbiological Research Experiments - 25% Prepares microbial and clinical samples for downstream sequencing applications, ensuring sample integrity and adherence to protocol-specific handling requirements for microbiological specimens. Designs and performs in vitro microbiological experiments in support of assigned research questions, exercising judgment in selecting appropriate techniques from among established microbiological methods. Collects, records, and monitors microbiological experimental data and test results, identifying anomalies or deviations from expected outcomes and escalating precedent-setting issues to the lab manager or Principal Investigator (PI). Operates and Maintain Microbiology Laboratory Equipment and Inventory- 25% Performs ongoing quality control checks on microbiology laboratory equipment to ensure proper function and data integrity in support of microorganism isolation, identification, and characterization work. Tracks inventory levels of microbiological media, reagents, and supplies and coordinates with the lab manager to place replenishment orders in a timely manner, ensuring continuity of ongoing microbiology studies. Reviews, Analyzes, and Reports Microbiological Data - 25% Summarizes microbiological data in the form of tables and graphs suitable for scientific presentation. Presents progress and results of microbiological studies at project specific meetings to update PIs and the lab team. Participates in Microbiological Methodology Development - 25% Participates in the development, interpretation, and implementation of microbiological research methodology and materials. Adapts published microbiological methodologies for use in the laboratory setting and utilize instrument manuals and microbiological scientific literature to develop and troubleshoot experimental methods for microorganism isolation, identification, and characterization. Performs all duties as assigned. DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Work Schedule: M-F (8am - 4:30pm) Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT EDUCATION: Possess a successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in microbiology, bacteriology, biology or chemistry with at least 30 semester hours in biological science and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences. This course-work must have included: (a.) At least 10 semester hours in microbiology in such subjects as bacteriology, microbiology, immunology, serology, algology, mycology, parasitology, protozoology, rickettsiology, tissue culture, or virology. (b.) At least 10 semester hours in microbiology in such subjects as food, dairy, soil, industrial, public health, agricultural, applied bacteriology, or microbiology, genetics, physiology, metabolism, taxonomy, epidemiology, animal, or plant physiology or pathology, and similar courses, provided these courses were oriented toward the study of microorganism. (The remaining 10 semester hours may have been in other biological science courses.) (c.) Course-work in qualitative and organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics and college algebra, or their equivalent. NOTE: The quality of this course-work must have been such that it would serve as a prerequisite for more advanced courses in the field of science to which it pertains. Copies of applicable documents must be submitted at time of application such as an unofficial transcript and/or an academic evaluation report etc. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). In addition to meeting the educational requirements stated above, applicants must have had appropriate experience in (1) the general field of microbiology, (2) one of the specialized areas or applied fields of microbiology, or (3) a field of science directly related and applicable to microbiological work or microbiological research as follows: For Microbiologist, GS-9 grade level: EXPERIENCE: Possess at least 2 years of professional experience in a microbiological science which shows that the applicant has (a) a general working knowledge of microbiology or of one or more areas of specialization, (b) a working knowledge of and ability to apply the methodology required, and (c) the ability to perform work independently. The quality of the experience, graduate study or combination of graduate study and experience must be such that it shows the applicant possesses (1) a knowledge and understanding of the laboratory techniques applied in the type of work for which the applicant is being considered, and (2) the ability to exercise independent judgement in evaluating and interpreting the results of his/her work and/or an aptitude for research work. For positions at GS-9 which involve a substantial amount of work in a specific specialized area or applied field of microbiology, at least 6 months of the experience at the second lower grade must have been in the appropriate area for which the applicant is being considered. Specialized experience is conducting and designing Microbiological research experiments; operating and maintaining Microbiology laboratory equipment and inventory; reviewing, analyzing, and reporting Microbiological data; and participating in Microbiological methodology development. Resume must clearly document this experience to be creditable. We will not make assumptions regarding experience. OR EDUCATION: Possess a successful completion of 2 academic years consisting of a full program of graduate study creditable toward meeting the requirements of an advanced degree with major study in microbiology may be substituted for the 2 years of experience. Copies of applicable documents must be submitted at time of application such as an unofficial transcript and/or an academic evaluation report etc. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCES: Possess an equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience to meet the total experience requirements for GS-9. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. Copie