Microbiologist

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) regulates the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of tobacco products.

This Direct-Hire position is located in the Center for Tobacco Products, Office of Science, Division of Product Science, Microbiology Branch which provides comprehensive, expert, professional microbiology review, analyses, and advice for a variety of complex problems and issues for the Office of Science and the Center for Tobacco Products.

Responsibilities/Job Duties:

• Reviewing a wide range of tobacco products to evaluate microbiological studies related to exposure and health determinations of product reports/applications.
• Conducting microbiology projects and studies in order to evaluate, identify, and resolve issues and problems.
• Recommending new and revised guidelines for regulated products.
• Preparing synopses of reviews of reports/applications with recommendations for revision, acceptance or rejection, and providing specific supporting reasons for the reviewer's recommended disposition and any technical deficiencies requiring action by the sponsor.
• Interpreting scientific data and if needed, performing additional analysis of data and submitted information.

The position of Microbiologist falls under the 0403 occupational series. To qualify for this position at grade GS-11/12 and GS-13, you must meet requirements by 11:59 pm EST on 03/29/2024. Basic Requirements A. Bachelors Degree or higher in microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent. OR B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualifications: GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-9 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties:

• Evaluating microbiological data to determine the need for additional information;
• Reviewing scientific literature (i.e., journal articles) or study protocols or designs to assist in microbiological research; and
• Compiling data to prepare presentations supporting recommendations on microbiology issues.

OR Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, from an accredited college or university that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this work. Note: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) to support your claim. OR Have a combination of specialized experience (less than one year) and graduate education (beyond 2 years of graduate education), that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. Note: Only graduate education in excess of two years (generally 36 semester hours) may be used in this calculation. You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) and your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet the experience to support your claim. Specialized Experience: GS-12: Applicant must demonstrate one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties:

• Interpreting microbiological data to determine the adequacy of data or test methods;
• Providing scientific support in developing microbiology research projects to advise on regulatory determinations; and
• Developing recommendations or conclusions to provide to scientists or other officials on scientific issues relevant to microbiology.

GS-13: Applicant must demonstrate one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties:

• Conducting analysis of microbiological test data or methods to evaluate the public health impact of regulated products;
• Developing research projects to recommend new or modified guidelines for regulated products; and
• Preparing documentation to present verbal or written scientific findings related to microbiology.