About the Position: The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), a subordinate research laboratory under the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, is the lead medical biological defense research laboratory for the DOD Chemical Biological Defense Program. For additional information about USAMRIID and Fort Detrick, please visit http://usamriid.health.mil and http://www.detrick.army.mil.

Duties

Conduct basic and applied research on bacterial threat agents to advance biological defense countermeasures. Design, plan and execute studies to test immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of bacterial vaccines. Develop and implement novel methods for detailed analysis of bacterial virulence factors using BSL-2 and BSL-3 bacterial pathogens. Analyze and interpret study results and make recommendations to laboratory members and project teams. Perform in depth molecular and enzymatic analyses of potential bacterial virulence factors to include RT-PCR and bioinformatics analyses. Prepare technical reports, projects reports, summaries, and PowerPoint presentations for distribution and/or presentation to project teams, management and sponsors. Serve as a member on scientific and/or institutional committees. Present research at local, national and/or international scientific meetings. and publish research in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Prepare animal protocols, standard operating procedures, and other documentation necessary to conduct assigned experiments. Ensure the proper use, care, safeguarding, inventory, control, and custody of durable and accountable property. Maintain a safe workplace by knowing and observing appropriate safety and occupational health rules and regulations.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment drug test screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
• Incumbent must participate in the Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP).
• Incumbent must participate in the Occupational Health Surveillance Program (OHSP).

Qualifications

USAMRIID is participating in an alternative personnel system known as the Personnel Demonstration Project (PDP). The DB-03 pay band is equivalent to the GS-13 step 1 to GS-14 step 10 level. In keeping with the Demonstration pay fixing policies, employees earning a salary that falls within this pay band equivalent, will not receive an immediate pay increase (promotion) if appointed to this position. Future pay increases within the pay band will be accomplished through the pay for performance management system. Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) 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 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience which includes: (1) Conducting research on novel vaccine strategies for bacterial infections and evaluating molecular mechanisms of vaccine candidates (DNA sequence analyses to predict gene structure and function and how it relates to bacterial pathogenesis); (2) Identification and evaluation of bacterial virulence factors that could be used for vaccine or therapeutic targets (preparing novel DNA constructs and plasmids; transformation, blotting, and other DNA-related procedures); AND (3) Development and use of assays for measurement and characterization of virulence factors of bacterial select agents. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (DB-02/GS-12). You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: BiologyTeamworkTechnical Competence

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Contacts

• Address KF-DHA-DD60RG DHA R/D ACT-USAMRIID DO NOT MAIL Fort Detrick, MD 21702 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk