Summary 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. Responsibilities 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 Conditions of Employment 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: Biology Teamwork Technical 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/ Additional Information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. Three year probationary period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. Obtain and hold Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP) enrollment pursuant to the requirements of the Army Biological Surety Program. Individuals must maintain a current certification of enrollment in the BPRP as a condition of eligibility for continued employment. The BPRP is a suitability and reliability program operated by the agency and requires the employee to submit to and satisfactorily complete suitability and reliability screening and analysis. As a condition of employment, employees in this position must also be approved by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice for access to laboratories containing biological select agents and toxins pursuant to the terms of 42 CFR Part 73. Incumbent works in containment suites with highly hazardous infectious agents and toxins and is required to participate in the Occupational Health Surveillance Program (OHSP), IAW with AR 40-5 and DA Pam 385.69. The OHSP monitors worker health andprovides vaccinations aimed at additional protection above personal protective devices. Individuals who have a medical condition that precludes receipt of a FDA licensed vaccine or who otherwise decline to receive said vaccinations will not meet the conditions of employment for this position.