Duties

Summary

NIST works with industry and science to advance innovation and improve quality of life. We're looking for a Biologist/Computer Scientist 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.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position will:

• Serve as bioinformatics and/or data science analyst leading projects for the NIST Genome Editing Program and NIST Genome Editing Consortium.
• Analyze human/mammalian DNA sequencing data using the latest computational methods; organize and store data and metadata following community defined best practices;
• Use bioinformatics tools to determine the genetic changes in genome editing measurement experiments; work with NIST researchers to ensure that the data and associated analysis is of high quality and the information derived from the data is supported and that data is responsibly stored.
• Consult and work with stakeholders in the genome editing community to determine how NIST can provide support to improve the quality of methods used for genome editing.
• Keep accurate and organized electronic records and presenting results of the work in the form of reports, manuscripts, oral presentations.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
3

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
For 0401: 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. For 1550:
Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

IN ADDITION: To qualify, applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level (or ZP-II at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience of bioinformatics or computational biology research related to genomics; or data science.
OR
Master's or equivalent graduate degree
NOTE: Education and experience may be combined for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

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.

Additional information

The physical worksite for this position is located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. However, the Material Measurement Laboratory is currently under a maximum telework posture due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, this position is currently under a 100 percent telework schedule. The position's telework schedule will likely change in the future when Material Measurement Laboratory moves away from its maximum telework posture. At that time, the incumbent will be expected to report to the physical work site in accordance with the updated status requirements of their supervisor. The nature and scope of future telework opportunities will be subject to the unit's telework policy, any applicable bargaining unit agreements, and supervisory approval. Payment of relocation expenses, as applicable, will be paid in accordance with this Job Opportunity Announcement. Non-compliance with the supervisor's telework-schedule requirement could result in adverse action, including separation.

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS). The APMS is a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Find out more about the APMS here !

A trial period may be required.

This appointment may be extended up to four years without further competition.

We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities such as:

• Telework
• Flexible work schedules
• Paid parental leave
• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Family-friendly leave
• Child and elder-care resources
• On-site childcare center
• Lactation spaces
• Wellness programs
• Fitness center
• Employee assistance programs

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position.

All applicants that meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Under Direct Hire Authority, applicants are not rated and ranked and veteran's preference does not apply.

CTAP and ICTAP Eligibility: To be eligible for CTAP or ICTAP consideration, you must submit the required documents to establish eligibility (see required documents ) and meet the minimum qualification requirements. You may be contacted to provide a response to assessment questions related to the position. To be considered CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you must receive a well-qualified score of at least 85 of out 100 on your assessment responses. Additional information may be found at: CTAP/ICTAP .

Resume Guidance
Evaluation Process

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

In addition to your resume, 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.

Failure to submit required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.