NIST works with industry and science to advance innovation and improve quality of life. We're looking for a Biologist to join our team! This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Duties

Conduct research to develop measurement technologies to characterize complex cellular dynamics that occur in pluripotent stem cell culture. The research will involve the use of a customized large-field-of-view optical imaging systems coupled to live cell incubation systems for quantitative live cellular imaging. Microscope systems will be configured for multi-modal imaging including the following modes: phase, fluorescence, and brightfield transmission. Perform mammalian cell culture to maintain stem cells for experimental purposes. Cell lines will include human and animal stem cell lines engineered with fluorescent reporter proteins. Perform replicate experiments on large numbers of stem cells to generate statistically relevant measurements. Perform functional cell experiments that demonstrate single cell measurements of features such as cell division time, migration rate and spatial location. Perform microscope calibration and benchmarking procedures to ensure microscope systems are performing as expected. Develop and maintain high performance computing resources suitable to handle the large amount of image data collected with the microscope system. Generate custom programs that leverage machine learning techniques to analyze cellular images to enable label-free cellular tracking and intercellular signaling measurements. Maintain inventory of cell culture and frozen cell reagents. Must be able to trouble-shoot and fix common problems and schedule maintenance on the microscope and supporting systems to minimize instrument downtime. Keep consistent documentation and data entry. Provide microscopy support to associated researchers to address measurement challenges in biomanufacturing, diagnosis, and regenerative medicine.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Bargaining Unit Position: No

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to the basic requirements: Applicants must also have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 (ZP-II at NIST) level. Specialized Experience is defined as experience with cell biology, stem cell biology, fluorescent protein reporter cells, instrumentation, computational software use, and microscopy for live cell imaging. Proficiency with various bioinformatic analysis software suitable for image analysis such as FIJI Image and Python script is required. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as defined in the additional requirements Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done. We will credit all qualifying volunteer experience in your application. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required prior to a final offer of employment.

Education completed outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with a course by course listing) is required with your application.

Contacts

• Address Biosystems and Biomaterials Division 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20899 US
• Name: Tailor Thompson
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]